In compliance with the Supreme Court guidelines, State Government has decided to probe all the encounters that took place since 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir. In this regard District Magistrate Srinagar Wednesday appointed Sub-Divisional Magistrate Srinagar (West) Rifat Naseem to probe the Shadab Colony Ahmednagar Soura encounter that had broken out during the intervening night of April 13 and 14, 2014 in which according to police two foreign militants were killed. In order to prevent fake encounter killings the Supreme Court has already issued strict guidelines for encounters done by police and other armed agencies. The Apex Court has maintained that the encounters must be probed by state CID or separate police stations and there should be a magisterial inquiry in case of death. “The policeman involved in encounter shall surrender arms, weapons and ammunition after the encounter and promotion or gallantry awards should be awarded by the government to any officer till the investigations of genuine encounter are established.”
A police official told CNS on condition of anonymity that inquiry into the encounters has become mandatory after the Supreme Court guidelines as without probing an encounter the State Armed men can’t be awarded or promoted. “Facts need to be established so that there will be no delay in rewarding the team responsible for the extermination of criminals and militants,” he said.
Pertinently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the J&K government to submit magisterial inquiry reports of 30 gunfights in Kashmir for which it has recommended “gallantry awards” for police personnel. During the intervening night of April 13 and 14, 2014, Government Forces had killed two foreign militants Anees and Babar from Shadab Colony Ahmed Nagar Soura locity in Srinagar. Two policemen Qazi Masood and Tazeem Ahmed according to police had suffered bullet injuries during the said encounter. To probe this encounter, administration has asked witnesses and general public to record their statements at SDM office located at Shalteng HMT within a week’s time.District Development Commissioner’s office in Srinagar issued an order vide number DMS/Jud/enp/3009-3062 which reads that SDM Srinagar (West) has been appointed to probe the Shadab Colony Ahmed Nagar encounter. Confirming it, SDM Srinagar (West) told CNS that anybody who is interested in recording his or her statement can approach her at Shalteng office within 7 days.” (CNS)