Pulwama: The three families from south Kashmir, whose kin were killed in Lawaypora encounter on December 30 last year, Thursday demanded a probe by a special investigation team (SIT).
Three youths — Athar Mushtaq of Bellow Pulwama, Aijaz Ahmad of Putrigam Pulwama, and Zubair Ahmad Lone were killed in an encounter at Lawaypora in the outskirts of Srinagar on December 30. While as police and army claimed that they were militants, their families claim that they were innocent and killed in a “staged encounter”.
The family of three youth have asked the authorities to break silence on the encounter, and either prove their wards militants or return their bodies.
Mushtaq Wani, father of Athar Mushtaq, questioned the government’s silence on the issue.
“Two weeks have passed but no investigation has been ordered. We too were silent as we gave time to authorities to prove that our sons were militants but they have failed to do so,” Wani said. “Authorities must start the investigation at the earliest.”
Family members of Zubair Ahmad also said that if any way authorities can prove that their son was a militant, they will never seek his body.
“However, if they have failed to get single evidence against him, then they must return his body and punish the culprits who killed him,” they said.
Mohammed Maqbool, father of Aijaz Ahmad, also said that authorities must come clear on the incident.
The families of the three youth said that if their wards were “hardcore OGWs” then there would have been at least a single FIR registered against them.
“Our sons were innocent and were killed in a fake encounter,” the families reiterated while requesting authorities to constitute a SIT and investigate the matter, and return their dead bodies.
Pertinently, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha had last week said that he will come up with facts about the Lawaypora encounter at an “appropriate time.”
“Let me tell you that J&K is a very sensitive UT. I have noted all versions including that of forces’ and the families of the (slain trio). I will come up with facts before you at an appropriate time,” the LG had said.
