In order to punish soldiers,JK govt forwards inquiry report to Defence Ministry

The inquiry commission in its report submitted to the government had indicted the Army for “killing two civilians”,saying that the Army “opened fire and killed two civilians without any provocation” and “the Army action was not only disproportionate but breached all operational procedures.”

The report had rubbishes Army’s claim of cross firing.

Sources said to initiate action against the guilty soldiers,the state government needs clearance from the Central government as armed forces in the state are protected under Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSA).

Soon after the report was received by the government,J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah had said that if the inquiry commission indicts any troopers,he will carry the report personally to the Union Home minister and the Defence Minister to ensure that the guilty are given exemplary punishment.

“Bringing those responsible for the innocent killings in Bomai to book is a matter of credibility for this government,” the Chief Minister had said.

Two civilians,Muhammed Amin Tantray and Javid Ahmed Dar were killed when troops of 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) opened fire on devotees at Bomai village.

The incident sparked massive protests across the valley and soon after the killing of two civilians by Army J-K Chief Minister Abdullah ordered a magisterial inquiry into the firing and set a 15-day deadline for submitting the report.

The Army too had ordered a separate probe into killing of two civilians and it had appointed a Brigadier as the inquiry officer. A murder case was also registered against the Army unit by the J-K Police.

Former Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Baseer Ahmad Khan,who led the inquiry commission to probe in his report,has mentioned there was “no crossfire as claimed by the Army.”

The inquiry officer has said that the troopers did not also follow the Standards Operation Procedures (SOP) during the incident.

The inquiry officer,in his report,has said that Army opened fired at the civilians and the bullet wounds were found above the chest level which indicated that Army opened fire with intention to kill the civilians.