The Hindu : `Security forces killed civilians'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

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`Security forces killed civilians'

By Shujaat Bukhari

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, tabling a report of the DNA test in the Assembly on Tuesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

SRINAGAR JULY 16. Putting the security forces in the dock, the DNA test by the Central Forensic Laboratory, Kolkata, has established that the five persons killed by security forces in an "encounter" in Panchalthan following the massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chattisinghpora on March 20 were civilians and not foreign militants as claimed by the forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has recommended an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident.

The Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, today tabled the forensic report in the Assembly and said that he would take up the matter with the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, when he meets him on Saturday. "As per the assurances given in this House, representatives from CFSL, Kolkata, and CDFD, Hyderabad, were requested to collect blood samples from the relatives of the deceased and the DNA samples of the deceased. The representatives of both Institutes collected the samples on April 1."

"The report from CFSL, Kolkata, has established their identity as Juma Khan, son of Fakir Khan, Juma Khan, son of Sher Ali, Zahoor Ahmed Dalal, Mohammad Yousuf Malik and Bashir Ahmed Bhat. It has been clearly established that the deceased were not foreign terrorists as claimed by the forces, but innocent civilians."

Dr. Abdullah said, "In view of the gravity of the offence as well as the attempt made by certain officials to destroy evidence and to ensure fair investigation, I have recommended that the case be investigated by the CBI, who would be requested to expedite the investigation to bring the accused to trial." He said the next of kin of the victims would be paid ex-gratia relief within two days and provided a Government job within a week. He announced the reopening of the Chattisinghpora massacre case, saying that he would ask the Central Government to nominate a judge for the same. "I am meeting the Deputy PM on Saturday and will take up the issue with him."

The 7 Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Awantipora-based Victor Force had lodged an FIR with the police on May 25 saying that they had killed five terrorists in an encounter at Panchalthan. The security forces and the police claimed that "five foreign militants, responsible for the massacre of Sikhs" had been killed. As the bodies were charred, they were buried on the directions of the police. However, people resented this and thousands came out on the streets, alleging that the five were civilians picked up by security forces between March 21 and March 24 and who were killed and burnt by them. During a protest demonstration in Brakpora, personnel of the CRPF and the police opened fire, in which nine more civilians were killed. A retired judge of the Supreme Court, S.R. Pandian, investigated the incident and fixed the blame on the CRPF and the police. Though the policemen involved were suspended, no action has been taken by Central Government against the CRPF personnel.

Meanwhile, another controversy erupted after it was reported that the DNA samples had been tampered with. The Government then requested the laboratories to get fresh samples and appointed a retired judge, Justice A.Q. Parray, to inquire into the allegations; the report is awaited. Five doctors who took the samples were also suspended.

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