Judicial probe into missing JK youth case

Jammu, Jan 31: Announcing a judicial probe by High Court judge in the case of missing Kashmiri youth, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the acts of Human Rights violation and militancy are interconnected.

Speaking in the state Legislative Assembly, Mr Azad said probe in Abdul Rehman Padder, son of Ghulam Rasool Padder, hailing from Larnoo, Kokernag, would be conducted by a serving or a retired High Court judge in a time bound manner within three months.

He said any security man found guilty of innocent killings, would not be spared.

''I have made it clear that the state government would take every possible measure to curtail Human Rights violation and action would be taken against those involved in innocent killings.

The Chief Minister, however, said the issue of Human Rights violation is directly related to the militancy and bringing it to level zero could only be achieved with the end of militancy in the state.

Mr Azad said the security forces have been involved in protecting life and property of the people here for the last 17 years. They are working in very difficult and challenging situations, the Chief Minister said. ''When we are comfortably resting or working at our places, our security personnel are fighting militants in snow laden mountains, forests and at other difficult places,'' he said.

He said the ''black sheep'' is found every where in the society and the same goes for security forces as well where acts of such people bring bad name to the meritorious and respected service of the forces.

''These would be identified, booked and punished as per the law, the Chief Minister added.

Talking about the missing Kashmiri youth, Mr Azad said there would be complete transparency while dealing with the case.

He said the case is being monitored on day-to-day basis by the top ranking officers.

UNI