Srinagar: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration on Thursday demanded a judicial probe into the Hyderpora encounter, saying the magisterial inquiry ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to investigate the incident cannot be fair.
“We will be writing to President Ram Nath Kovind this evening, seeking a credible probe into the Hyderpora incident. In our view, only a judicial probe can be credible and fair,” PAGD spokesperson and CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami told reporters.
The PAGD leaders, except PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, met at the residence of National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah to discuss the “unfortunate situation” arising out of the “killing of three innocent civilians” at Hyderpora, Tarigami said.
He claimed Mufti was placed under house arrest by the authorities.
Tarigami said the magisterial probe ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir government into the incident “cannot be fair “as it was against the principles of justice that the “accused administration investigated the charges against itself”.
“The PAGD leaders also appeal to the people and leadership of the country to rise in defence of the democratic rights of citizens of India from Jammu and Kashmir as well. There is a need to share this pain of Kashmir before it is too late,” he said.
“We appeal to them to stop this bloodshed before the patience spills over. Do not mistake the silence…. we won’t allow Kashmir to be turned into a graveyard. The government should listen to this voice,” he added.
Tarigami said that the families of deceased civilians are being denied their right to give a dignified burial to their loved ones. “This is a constitutional right of every citizen. The authorities need to grant this right to the citizens of Kashmir also. In the name of law and order this right has been taken away from the people in the valley. We condemn such acts as these are being done unconstitutionally,” he said.
The Left leader said the bodies of the three civilians — Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Dr. Mudasir Gul and Amir Magray — should be returned to their families for a dignified burial.
He said the PAGD leaders wanted to visit the bereaved families, but the security establishment refused permission.
“We will also seek legal advice about approaching the Supreme Court… we will knock on every door, ” Tarigami added.
“We have demanded to punish the culprits of the incident as per the law. Those who have violated the laws should be punished,” he said.
Tarigami also asked if it was a new rule that common man should sacrifice his life to safeguard the national interest. “I want to ask the government and the judiciary that is it necessary to kill civilians for safeguarding the national interest,” he questioned.
