Army found prima facie guilty of killing 4 boys in Kashmir

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Srinagar, Nov 26 (UNI) A local court here held the Army prima facie responsible for the killing of four teenaged boys at Doodipora in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on February 22 early this year.

Passing the orders in the case, District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Syed Tariq Ahmed Naqshbandi, said on February 22 this year at around 1300 hrs when about 20 boys were playing cricket on the banks of a Tulri Nullah in the Doodipora village, troops of 33 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) surrounded the hamlet and detained the residents in their houses and a mosque.

He said the Army personnel allegedly resorted to indiscriminate firing on the boys in an ''unrelated'' militancy incident, resulting in an on-the-spot death of one of the boys, identified as Abdul Samad (22 years).

During the firing, the Judge said the other boys ran for safety and as they were trying to cross the Nullah, the RR troops fired at them, resulting in the death of three more children, identified as Ghulam Hassan Bhat (18), Shakir Hassan Wani (10) and Aamir (9).

He observed that excessive firing, without any provocation or any justification, was allegedly resorted to by the Army personnel and they also prevented the SHO of the Handwara Police Station and his team to go near the site of the incident.

''There is prime-facie material against the 33 RR Captain and his personnel for the incident of firing, resulting in the death of four innocent boys,'' the Judge said.

He said these allegations, if not rebutted, were likely to prejudicially affect the reputation of the Army personnel.

''It is, therefore, necessary to inquire into the conduct of the Captain and the other personnel of 33 RR (defendants). Accordingly, they are called upon to appear either in person, or through their counsel, to explain their conduct, and also submit statements in their defence on affidavits and supporting materials, if any, on the next date of hearing on December 11,'' the Judge added.

Apart from filing the statements of defence, the Army personnel have to produce oral evidence in support of their defence on the same day, he said, adding they would be entitled to reasonable opportunity of being heard.

UNI AG PK GC1753

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