Omar: Machhil encounter sparked unrest

Kashmir valley has witnessed a cycle of violence instigated by the separatists over alleged human rights violations with specific reference to the death of three persons,who were allegedly killed in a fake encounter at Machhil, the Chief Minister,who also holds the Home portfolio,said in reply to one of the questions.

On the economic loss caused by the unrest,Omar said,So far as the tax collections are concerned,the impact of the disruption in normal trading activity on these collections and the resultant loss to the state exchequer shall be known at the end of October as traders are required to remit tax on quarterly basis.

However,he added,government property worth crores of rupees has been damaged. Businesses have also suffered huge losses.

On April 30,Army personnel are reported to have killed three young men from Nadihal village in Baramulla district in a fake encounter at Machhil in Kupwara. Following widespread protests,the government launched an inquiry and the Army suspended Colonel D K Pathania,his second-in-command Major Upendra Singh and six other personnel.

Soon after,police filed murder charges against the suspended men.