Army orders probe into Kashmiri youth’s killing

Mangalore Today News Network/DHNS

Srinagar, March 6, 2013:The army Wednesday said it has ordered a time-bound probe into the death of a youth in army firing in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town, and assured that "the truth will prevail" once it is completed.

"We have our own investigating agency. A time-bound inquiry is on. If there was any lapse, let me assure you in the true tradition of the army that the truth will prevail, justice will prevail. That is the word of honour," the Baramulla divisional commander, Major General V.G. Khandarey, told reporters here.

He was speaking after a meeting Wednesday with Medical Education Minister Taj Mohiuddin, Minister of State for Home Sajad Kitchloo, Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) Asgar Hassan Samoon and the district magistrate of Baramulla in connection with the incident.

"Firstly, let me tell you that the relation between the ’awam’ (people) and the army in Baramulla dates back to 1947. It is the oldest relationship between two brothers. The men in uniform and the men in civvies are two brothers. When we say people have been shot, I can understand. We definitely condole the death of the young boy," Khandarey said.

Terming the incident as "unfortunate and regrettable", Mohiuddin said: "The army has  assured us of a time-bound inquiry. An FIR (First Information Report) has also been lodged. Those involved would be brought to justice."

Following the death of the youth Tuesday, curfew continued in Baramulla town, the adjacent town of Sopore, five police station areas in summer capital Srinagar and south Kashmir’s Kulgam and Pulwama towns Wednesday.

Incidents of stone pelting on the security forces by angry mobs have taken place at about a dozen places in the Kashmir Valley since the youth’s death.

The police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are handling the situation with maximum  restraint.