Investigations into alleged fake encounter are on: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), June 3 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the investigations into the killing of three villagers in an alleged fake encounter by the security forces are on.

"Let the inquiry conclude. Once the findings are available to me and will then comment on it," said Abdullah.

The Chief Minister, however, rubbished all reports that the State Government tried to hush up the matter.

"Machali encounter did not come to light due to some protest. Separatists did not tell us to investigate, nor the opposition, or the locals. The police have initiated the investigation on its own. If we wanted to hush it up, why would we initiate investigation into it?" said Abdullah.

Abdullah further said his government would press for amendments into the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that give soldiers virtual immunity from prosecution.

"It will be our aim that immediate changes are brought to Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the immunity given under the act should be brought down. Our government has also promised that if the situation keep improving, this government god willing will do away with the act," he said.

Earlier on May 29, Abdullah ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged fake encounter in Machil sector of the state.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a case of abduction and murder against a few security personnel for an encounter in which three people were killed on April 30.

Security forces had claimed that they had killed three infiltrators and recovered five AK47 rifles, ammunition and Pakistani currency from them in the Machali sector.

According to reports, the Jammu and Kashmir Police found that the en killed by the security forces were actually innocent civilians, who were reported missing from a village in Baramulla District. (ANI)