HC supports JKLF strike call on Tuesday, demands probe in killings

Srinagar, Feb 4 (UNI) Supporting the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front's general strike call on Tuesday against the fake encounter killings, Hurriyat conference chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq today demanded an impartial probe into all custodial killings in the valley.

Expressing concern over the increase in human rights violations by the security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Mirwaiz Omar demanded setting up of an independent inquiry commission to probe the cases of missing people.

Addressing a press conference at Rajbagh headquarters immediately after Executive Council and General Council meeting, he said the government should immediately order an impartial probe by an independent committee.

He said government has appointed countless committees during the past 17 years to probe the human rights violations in the state but to avail.

''How can people of Kashmir accept the findings, as those who are involved in the fake encounter killings are probing them,'' he said.

The Hurriyat Conference (HC) will extend its full support to an independent committee, if the members of the committee are trust worthy.

The Mirwaiz said about 8000 Kashmiris are missing since 1990.

Demanding scrapping of Special Powers Act and other laws, he said such laws are being misused to kill innocent people in the state.

He said the National Human Rights and State Human Rights commissions also failed to make any difference in Kashmir. Their recommendations are not being accepted by the government and security forces, he said.

UNI