Cops to carry out DNA sampling of ‘militants’ killed in Shopian
ENCOUNTER Mainstream political parties demand a high-level probe
The encounter in Shopian is an ugly reminder of fake nature of claims made by security forces. This is the result of a culture of impunity SAJJID LONE, Peoples Conference chairman
SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir Police have decided to carry out DNA sampling of the “militants” killed in Shopian district during an encounter last month.
After the encounter, the bodies couldn’t be identified and they were “dubbed as militants” by the army and police. However, three families from Rajouri had filed a missing report about three youths and even identified the pictures of the men who were killed in the encounter in July.
All the mainstream political parties have demanded a highlevel probe into the encounter.
On Tuesday, the police said that DNA sampling will be carried out. “Rajouri police has been approached by some families yesterday claiming that their kin who had gone to Shopian for some work are missing since July 17. They lodged a missing report at Peeru police station on August 10. Meanwhile, some reports on social media claim that the militants killed in the Shopian encounter on July 18 are their relatives,” a police spokesperson said.
He said that police had provided sufficient time for the identification of bodies at Kashmir police control room in Srinagar.
“The bodies could not be identified and they were buried in the presence of magistrate after conducting a post-mortem examination and taking the DNA samples. Taking cognizance of the claim by the families and media reports, Shopian police will carry out DNA sampling to match it with the family of missing youths. Besides identification, the police will also investigate all other aspects as per the law in due course of time,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said that the army has also initiated an investigation into the matter.
LONE FLAYS SECURITY FORCES
Peoples Conference chairman, Sajjad Lone on Tuesday castigated security forces for the alleged fake encounter in Shopian and deplored the silence of people of the country.
Lone who was recently released from the house arrest said, “The encounter in Shopian is yet again an ugly reminder of fake nature of claims made by security forces. This is the result of a culture of impunity. The tolerance for such incidents in the rest of the country is scary. Not a word has been uttered.”