The families of the victims of 2010 killings from different districts of Kashmir Wednesday alleged that they are being ‘forced’ to appear before the Koul Commission every month and the Commission has kept itself confined to hearings only. They said they don’t expect justice from government as five years have already passed but not a single person has been identified and booked. “The government-appointed Koul Commission is indulging in delaying tactics by overstretching the investigations and we have present ourselves after every month before the Commission for the same questions,” the families of the victims told CNS.“My husband Showkat Ahmed Mir was killed in government forces firing in 2010. I was expecting justice after Justice M.L.Koul was nominated to probe the killings. I have four daughters and a little son and there is nobody to take care of my family. My deceased husband was the sole bread earner for us,” Zeba Banoo, a resident of Mamat Budgam who was part of the delegation told CNS.
Muhammad Yousuf Bhat whose son Jahangir Ahmed was killed in Frisal area of Kulgam district said he is a carpenter by profession and every month he has to present himself before the Commission for recording the same statement. “I feel that Commission is buying time as government does not want to punish the killers of over 120 youth during 2010 summer agitation,” he said adding that he has decided not to appear before the Commission next month.Farooq Ahmad Kuchay, whose brother Nisar Ahmed Kuchay was killed during a protest demonstration at Humhama Budgam, accused the government of shielding the ‘guilty’ CRPF personnel who opened fire on unarmed protesters without any provocation on September 13, 2010.“Besides three other persons my younger brother, a BA final year student, also fell to the bullets of CRPF personnel. They were protesting against the desecration of Holy Quran and were not part of any anti-India protest,” Kuchay said. He said the affected families are still craving for justice while as the Koul Commission has been working at a snail’s pace.The protesters appealed Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to impress upon the probe commission to expedite investigations so that the guilty are brought to book.
When contacted, Retired Justice Moti Lal Koul, who is heading the Koul Commission told CNS that he is not wasting time but every day records the statements of the family members of the victims. “After recording the statements we have to check, re-check and re-examine them. A family had claimed that their son was killed in police firing but the evidences we collected proved that fellow had lost his life after a stone hit his head. I appeal these family members to be patient and have faith in justice system,” he said. (CNS)