BARAMULLA: Family of a youth killed in Army firing earlier this year has accused the government of allegedly forcing them to accept monetary relief and withdraw hopes about an official probe report.
The authorities in Baramulla district ordered a probe after a civilian, Tahir Ahmed Sofi, was killed in March. Army said it fired after soldiers came under attack from stone pelters including Sofi.
Residents have denied the army’s version and said the firing was “uncalled for”.
Sofi’s family have also told a local new agency, CNS, that the administration lied to the State Human Rights Commission claiming that family had already accepted Rs Five Lakh as ex-gratia relief.
Sofi’s family told the CNS that they were shocked.
“We don’t want compensation but punishment to the killers,” one of the family members, not named by CNS, said. The family says the authorities are not providing them any information about the probe ordered seven months ago.
“We tried to know the outcome of the probe by filing an application under Right to Information Act, but the reply we received was astounding. The Government said they can’t provide information due to security reasons (sic),” it said.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmed Khawaja said the probe was complete, but that he forwarded the report to higher authorities “without seeing it”.
Special Secretary, Home Affiars, Ms Dilshada said that the report lay with Additional Secretary, Home Affairs, Arshid Ayoub.
However, Mr Ayoub has told the agency that he knew nothing about it. “I don’t know anything about this report. What can I say when I don’t know anything.”
