Conduct CBI probe in fake encounter killings in Kashmir: Omar

Srinagar, Feb 4 (UNI) The National Conference (NC), main opposition party in Jammu and Kashmir, has demanded a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged killings of Kashmiri youths in fake encounters by the security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of state police.

Addressing a public meeting yesterday at Kokernag in south Kashmir, NC president Omar Abdullah said the CBI probe should be ordered immediately to '' bring the culprits to book.'' He said the security force and SOG of the state police personnel were carrying out ''genocide of innocent Kashmiris after labelling them as foreign militants.'' Mr Abdullah, MP, said Abdul Rehman Padroo, a carpenter was killed by the SOG personnel in fake encounter. ''The SOG men were rewarded for each innocent killings,'' he said and demanded stern action against them.

Alleging coalition government's inaction, he said that during the four-year rule ''many youth have been killed in fake encounters, labelled as foreign terrorists and later buried without making proper identification.'' He alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a partner in the coalition government was ''trying to derive political mileage out of the killings of Kashmiris.'' Mr Omar said the PDP claimed to have disbanded the SOG as it (SOG) was ''involved in maximum Human Rights (HR) violations in the valley.'' Demanding scrapping of all laws applicable which give security forces ''licence to kill people in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he said need of the hour is to build a tension free environment and make people feel secure.

UNI