Kashmir Fake encounter probe panel to meet now on June 25

Srinagar, June 5 (UNI) The Makhan Lal Kaul Commission of Inquiry, probing the alleged custodial killings and fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, will now hold its first public sitting here on June 25 after the proposed hearing yesterday turned out to be a damp squib as nobody came forward to file a complaint.

According to a fresh notification, the Commission would hold its public sitting here on June 25 at 1100 hrs to consider the terms of reference, draft regulation of its procedure and tentative programme in the presence of parties interested.

The Commission has sought till June 24, 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 in alleged custodial killings and fake encounters.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had, on April 2, appointed an Inquiry Commission 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.

UNI