Kashmir probe to be over by January-end

SRINAGAR - The commission of enquiry set up to probe 17 civilian killings from June 11 to July 13 during the unrest in the Kashmir Valley is likely to submit its report by the end of January.

The two-member commission comprising Justice (retired) Bashiruddin and Justice (retired) Y.P. Nargotra was set up by the Jammu and Kashmir government in August.

Although the commission was to submit its report within two months, it sought extensions. It is likely to submit the report by the end of next month, Bashiruddin told reporters here Tuesday.

Of the 17 deaths probed by the commission, seven occurred in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, seven in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and three in Srinagar district.

The commission held hearings at Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore and Anantnag to know what led to the deaths of the civilians and fix responsibility for use of excessive force by security forces.

Besides the statements of the next of kin of the victims, the commission has recorded statements of police officers and security personnel.

The victims’ relatives and the security officials were given the opportunity to cross examine each other to help the commission reach fair conclusions.

As many as 110 people were killed in clashes between unruly mobs and the security forces in the Kashmir Valley during five months of unrest that began June 11.