Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police Kupwara on a petition, seeking an independent probe into the killing of Asif Iqbal, a cab driver allegedly by army, at Thandipora village in the north Kashmir district last week.
The International Forum for Justice/Human Rights Forum headed by Ahsan Untoo has filed the petition and seeks the probe by Superintendent of Police of the SHRC’s investigation wing.
Untoo told the INS that chairperson of the commission Justice (retd) Bilal Nazki issued the notice to the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, seeking the response by February 15.
“The Deputy Commissioner and the SSP were directed to file a detailed report. The Commission has also asked for a report about the magisterial inquiry which has been ordered by the deputy commissioner to be completed within 21 day,” he said.
Besides probe by the SP SHRC, the petitioner has also sought directions to the police to disclose whether the FIR has been registered exclusively against the army or not.
Untoo said that a 60-year-old man Sanaullah Bhat was also killed in the same area during the “ambush” and magisterial enquiry was also ordered. “what happened to it is known to all,” he added.
Massive protests erupted in north Kashmir district on Sunday against the killing of Asif Iqbal Bhat, son of Muhammad Iqbal. Asif was seriously injured after being hit by a bullet in Thandipora Kralpora area of the district and he was shifted to Sub District Hospital Kralpora from he was referred to Srinagar Hospital for specialized treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.
“Kupwara police has lodged an FIR in Police Station Kralpora and investigation has been started. Police and civil administration will provide all help to the bereaved family,” a police spokesman had said.
SSP Kupwara Shamsher Hussain, according to reports, had said that the killing Asif was a case of “mistaken identity”.
However, a Srinagar-based defence spokesman had said that the driver was killed in “cross-fire.”
