File murder case against Army major, SHRC to J

Srinagar, Apr 3 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed authorities to register a murder case against an Army Major for allegedly killing a Special Police Officer (SPO) in custody.

A single bench commission of H U Bhat also directed the state government to pay Rs 2 lakhs as compensation to the wife of the deceased SPO.

The direction came on a petition filed by one Misra Bano, a resident of Dangiwachi, in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, alleging that her husband SPO Mohammad Ashraf Lone was arrested by the Army during a cordon and search operation on September 25, 2004.

She further said in her petition that the Army personnel headed by a Major later killed Lone in custody.

Ms Misra said a case was also registered in a local police station against the army personnel involved in the alleged killing of her husband. However, no action was taken.

The commission said during the course of investigation, it was established that Lone was arrested and later killed by the Army.

Mr Bhat said action could not be initiated by the police against the officer as there was no response from the Army authorities despite writing a number of letters to them.

Unfortunately, the police closed the case for want of cooperation from the security forces, the commission said and directed that a murder case should be finalised against the Major and family members of the deceased SPO paid Rs two lakhs as ex-gratia relief.

UNI