Wullar Inquiry Commission records statement of students

Srinagar, July 9 (UNI) The Inquiry Commission, probing the boat capsize in Wullar Lake of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on May 30 in which 22 school children drowned, has recorded the statement of students who survived the tragedy.

District and Sessions Judge Syed Tariq Ahmed Naqshbandi, the inquiry officer into the incident, recorded the statements of five students of the Burning Candle School, Handwara.

The court also recorded the statements of the school management.

During the last hearing on July 6, Defence counsel N A Tabassum had prayed that the next sitting be conducted at Dak Bungalow, Handwara as the witnesses were the school children who survived the accident and hailed from the place.

Mr Naqshbandi had later ordered that the next hearing would be held at Handwara.

During the hearing yesterday, Mr Tabassum said that one more sitting would be held at Handwara before reaching at any conclusion.

He said the Navy had so far failed to produce evidence before the inquiry commission.

On July 6, the Judge pulled up the Navy for not submitting submitting the statements of defence on affidavit despite ''having the opportunities'' to do so and later struck its defence.

UNI AG MA VA RN1212