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Srinagar: Two civilian deaths are under inquiry by the Jammu and Kashmir government, but the analysis will not divvy up responsibility or rest accountability on the Union government which controls security in the Union Territory.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discussed with Central authorities and questioned them regarding the delayed action. He also added that the government would carry its own investigations into both incidents.
Makhan Din’s death, a civilian from Billawar, Jammu has also captivated National attention. Before his death Din lodged a video with allegations of torture inflicted by J&K Police in Kathua. He later ingested an entire packet and succumbed to self-immolation while stating I chose this path in order to barricade others from encountering similar experiences.
The incident fueled anger within the public and forced the police to undertake prompt action in issuing an inquiry at a higher level. A Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police has been entrusted with the mandate to prepare the report within 10 days.
In addition, notice was issued on Friday by Tehsildar Lohai Malhar Anil Kumar who will undertake the inquiry instrumentation to commence witness examination on Saturday.
As per the order, the civilian witnesses who possess knowledge on the event will have to appear in front of him and give their statements from 10 am to 5 pm till 9th february at the Naib Tehsildar Mandi Tehsil Billawar offices.
However, this is yet to be started for the inquiry that was announced regarding the murder of a civilian driver, Waseem Ahmed Malla of Sopore who is said to have been shot by the army is still to be carried out, said a senior government official who visited the family for some documents.
“We have started putting together documents for the case and at least we will look into trying to get one of the victim’s family members a job,” said an official to ETV Bharat. The policymakers have the responsibility, we will only be able to recommend this case, the official said.
Legal Aid Counsels like former AG Advocate Ishaq Qadri do say, although the Home Department accounts for security and maintaining the law and order is not in the purview of the government, the UT government unlike others, has a ‘duty to protect and secure the lives of people’ which is why it includes the inquiries of those.
He noted that the inquiry officer will collect the witness accounts for him to prepare a finding report but also, the government has restrictions on accounting for blame.
''The government is fulfilling its responsibilities only,'' he remarked, adding, ''It will look into the facts and evidence and then the report will be submitted to the LG for appropriate action to be taken.'' However, Qadri noted that the Union Government which manages the security of the union territory has the last say with regard to the report.
