South Kashmir’s Shopian Firing Probe Report Awaiting Action in Home Department

Shopian, Dec 2, KNT: The report of the one-man Commission headed by Justice (retd) Moti Lal Koul into the September 7, 2013 Gagrin firing incident in Shopian remains pending with the Home Department, with no action initiated against the CRPF personnel indicted by the panel.

The incident had left four people dead, including three local youth and a Pakistani militant. In its findings, the Commission justified the killing of the militant, identified as Abdullah Haroon, but held that the three local youth were innocent and recommended strict action against the personnel responsible for excessive firing.

The report, submitted in July last year, is understood to have been forwarded to the Home Ministry after Cabinet consideration. However, no case has so far been registered against the indicted personnel nor has any investigation been initiated.

The Commission had named two CRPF personnel, Ashok Kumar Pathania and Constable Santosh Kumar, holding them responsible for firing 32 rounds during the incident that resulted in the deaths of Tariq Ahmad Mir, Tauseef Ahmad and Muhammad Yusuf, besides the militant.

It also recommended compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the dependents of the deceased and suggested appointments for two close relatives under SRO 43 of 1994 in accordance with their qualifications.

Justice (retd) Moti Lal Koul told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the Commission had completed its mandate and submitted its findings, adding that it was now for the government to act upon the recommendations.

Family members of the slain youth said neither punitive action nor compensation has materialised, and the report has not been made public. [KNT]