Set up JIC to probe custodial death: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Jan 31: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a coalition partner in the in the Jammu and Kashmir government has demanded setting up of a '' Judicial Inquiry Commission ''(JIC) to probe the recent custodial killings in the state.

Expressing concern over the reports of alleged custodial killings by the security forces and state police, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said those involved should be brought to book.

She demanded that a JIC should be set up to probe the custodial killings, including death of Abdul Rehman Padder, a resident of Larnoo in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir, by Special Operation Group (SOG) of the state police in Ganderbal area in a fake encounter.

Mehbooba, MP, today visited the house of Padder and expressed her sympathy with the bereaved family.

Demanding immediate compensation for the breaved family, she said her party will do everything to see the guilty punished as per law of the land.

A carpenter by profession, Padder had gone missing from Batamaloo here on December 8 last year and a missing report was lodged with the local police station by his family on January 23.

Padder, 35, was later allegedly killed by the SOG of the Jammu and Kashmir police in a fake encounter at Waskar in Ganderbal and dubbed as a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, Abu Hafiz, a resident of Multan in Pakistan. The SOG also claimed that one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 36 rounds of ammunition and a grenade were also recovered from the slain militant.

The SOG men were reportedly rewarded Rs 1,20,000 for killing him.

However, during the course of investigations, Padder's family members reported that he was in possession of a mobile phone.

Further inquiry by a Special Investigation Team led to the recovery of the mobile phone which was being used by Abdul Rashid Wagay, a resident of Kathpora Hajan Sonawari in Baramulla district.

The phone was given to him by ASI Farooq Ahmed Gudoo, a resident of Pethrompora in Ganderbal, and posted with the SOG Ganderbal.

After thorough investigations, ASI Gudoo and selection grade constable (driver) Farooq Ahmed Padder, posted in the District Police Lines Srinagar, were arrested in this connection.

Padder is survived by his wife Muneera, five small children, including four daughters, and an aged father.

The state government has attached Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal Hans Raj Parihar and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP-Operations) Ganderbal Bahadur Ram to ensure unbiased and fair investigations in the case. It also entrusted the case to Mr Farooq Ahmed, who is the DIG (Central Kashmir Range).

UNI