Fake encounter probe panel meet in Kashmir turns damp squib

Srinagar, Jun 4 (UNI) The first public sitting called by the Makhan Lal Kaul Commission of Inquiry, probing the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, here today turned out to be a damp squib as nobody came forward to file a complaint.

According to a notification, the Commission was scheduled to hold its first public sitting at 1100 hrs here today to consider the terms of reference, draft regulation of its procedure and tentative programme in the presence of parties interested.

However, nobody turned up at the office of the Commission to file a complaint. The Commission was likely to announce a new date for the public sitting within a day or two.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had on April 2 appointed a Commission of Inquiry comprising Justice Makhan Lal Kaul, a retired judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, through a notification SRO No 123 to look into the allegations of custodial killings and fake encounter, including that of carpenter Abdul Rehman Padder.

The Commission has been asked to probe and find out the causes, circumstances and conspiracy, if any, which led to the death of some people such as Padder, a resident of Larnoo in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir, in the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters.

It has also been asked to fix responsibilities of the people involved for such killings, and make suggestions and recommendations for preventing recurrence of such incidents.

The inquiry would be in regard to complaints or allegations that may be made before the Commission by any individual or association along with the affidavits.

The Commission would also find out the instances of misuse of authority of power as may be brought to its notice by the state government for inquiry.

It has sought complete particulars of complaints and allegations levelled by an individual, a group of people, associations or organisations giving specific instances of misuse of authority of power committed, abetted or directed by public servants as in the case of Padder or any other such killing.

UNI