Srinagar: After deputy commissioner Kupwara failed to issue notice in local newspapers despite repeated orders by the State Human Rights Commission, the rights body on Tuesday issued notice to kin of four “untraced persons” who were killed in Handwara by paramilitary BSF on October 1, 1990.
A case titled Mohammad Ahsan Untoo, Chairman International Forum for justice regarding killing of 22 civilians at Handwara District Kupwara in 1990 was on board before Justice Bilal Nazki, Chairperson of J&K State Human Rights Commission.
“The case is pending adjudication for want of response of Dy. Commissioner Kupwara. However, while going through the material/reports on the file, Chairperson of the Commission observed that inspite of orders passed by the Commission on 14-12-2017, 15-02-2018 & 17-05-2017 the Commission is not getting response from Dy. Commissisoner Kupwara,” the commission said in a press release.
The orders were sent to Dy. Commissioner even through Fax. “This attitude of Dy. Commissioner cannot be appreciated,” the commission said and accordingly ordered the NOKs’ of deceased four persons—Gh. Rasool Sofi son of Ab. Rehman of Armpora, Gh. Rasool Malik A/P Khunbal , Gh. Rasool Hajam son of Karim of Handwara and Shahzad Ahmadl Pir son of Gh. Din of Handwara to appear before the Commission on August 28 “so that the instant file could be finalized on merit basis.” The four persons were among 14 persons killed in the firing by the BSF.