Govt ordered to pay Rs 2 lakh relief to affected families

Srinagar, June 4 (UNI) Expressing anguish over the District Magistrate, Doda's failure to take any action against the Army officers, who allegedly killed three civilians and injured 13 others in 2000, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today directed the government to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation and employment to affected families.

SHRC acting chairman Habibullah Bhat, in his judgment, also directed the government to put the Army officers on trial in the murder and attempted murder cases filed against them under FIR number 4/2000 in police station Gandoh, Doda.

In a seven-page judgment, Mr Bhat said despite Sub-District Magistrate (SDM), Bhaderwah's inquiry report that the Army personnel, including Captain Vineet, committed a serious offence by killing Mohammad Amin, Abdul Majeed and Abdul Rashid and injuring 13 other poor civilians, no action was taken against the accused.

The report of the inquiry committee, which was constituted after massive protests by locals against the killings, confirmed that Army officers Colonel D N Gupta, Major Ranjan Mahajan and Captain Vineet of 5-Sikh Linght Infantry arrested civilians and later tortured three people to death.

Mr Bhat said Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, in his report also confirmed that Army killed three people and injured 13 others on January 1,2000.

It said the deceased civilians died on the spot due to torture by the army personnel.

He said this commission is shocked to find that for the last eight years, no action was taken against the accused Army personnel despite having enough proof and report of two inquiry committees.

Describing it a gross violation of human rights, Mr Bhat said the law-breakers should be put on trial and punished under the law of the land.

The acting chairman said as the violation was of high magnitude this commission therefore recommends that Rs two lakh should be paid to the next of kin of deceased with Rs one lakh less, paid already.

The family members may also be provided government jobs under SRO 43, he said, adding the injured be paid Rs 75,000 each.

He also directed the government to issue strict instructions to security forces and other functionaries that they should adhere to honour the dignity of the citizens.

UNI BAS NY AS1520