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Srinagar, Sep 24 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an inquiry into killing of four teenage boys by troops at Doodhipora in Handwara area of Kupwara district on February 22 this year, an official spokesman said today.

He said the state government appointed District and Sessions Judge Syed Tariq Ahmed Naqshbandi as the inquiry officer to probe the causes and circumstances that led to the firing by troops who mistook the four boys as militants and killed them, an incident which sparked off massive protests and violence in the Valley.

The Army had later admitted and regretted the incident and also offered compensation to the families of the victims.

Mr Naqshbandi had recently concluded a probe into the Wullar Lake boat capsize on May 20 in which 22 students drowned and held four Navy personnel posted at Wullar Lake Marine Commandos (MARCOS) unit and the Principal of the Burning Candle School, Handwara responsible for the accident and recommended Rs four lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased.

The spokesman said Mr Naqshbandi has been asked to submit his report within two months.

Besides identifying the people, if any, whose negligence caused the incident, the Judge would fix responsibility for use of excessive force which resulted in the death of four boys, he added.

Mr Naqshbandi had also been asked to recommend the necessary action against those found negligent or guilty and suggest measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents, the spokesman said.

UNI AG MYK YA RK1405