KV Correspondent

SC order on Shopian killings baffling, says AI 

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Srinagar: After Supreme Court of India stayed the probe in Shopian killings, human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) has said that the order by the apex court is baffling.

“Supreme Court’s order in Shopian firing is baffling. How can justice be done if the police aren’t even allowed to investigate alleged rights violations?” AI said in a tweet.

AI said that the security forces are already enjoying the virtual immunity from prosecution.

“…..Security forces already have virtual immunity from prosecution, shielding them from investigations will deepen impunity,” AI said.

Earlier on Monday, the apex court stayed the investigation into the case of death of three civilians in Army firing in Shopian in January this year. The top court fixed the matter for final disposal on April 24.

The direction came after the state government informed the court that the name of Major Aditya Kumar of 10 Garhwal Rifles was not mentioned in the FIR lodged by the J&K Police. The court had sought the state government’s reply as well as that of the Centre in the matter two weeks ago.

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by Major Aditya Kumar’s father, Lieutenant Colonel Karamveer Singh, who sought the quashing of the FIR filed against his son.

While hearing the case last month, the court had also ordered that no coercive action should be initiated against Kumar. The Centre has supported the plea.

The Jammu-Kashmir Police had lodged an FIR under Section 302 (murder charge) against the Army personnel and his unit for opening fire on a group of stone-pelting mob in Ganovpora village in Shopian. While two persons were killed on the spot, the third succumbed to his injuries later. The incident prompted Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order a probe into the killings.

 


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

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