The Indian Army’s version in the deaths of two civilians at Shopian will be taken into account during the investigation. Talking to reporters on Monday, 29 January, J-K DGP SP Vaid said that the “FIR is just the beginning of the investigation process”.
“FIR is start of the investigation process. It doesn’t conclude there. No officer has been named,” Vaid said.
According to Vaid, the FIR only mentions “the unit of Army headed by the person”.
“Now it’s a matter of investigation what were the circumstances they were pelted upon,” he said.
Asked whether the Army’s version will be a part of the probe, the state police chief said, “The Army’s version, eye- witness accounts and the statement of those who lost their near and dear ones would be included.”
“We will go through all facts and the ground evidences of the case and the Army will also be questioned,” Vaid said.
The deaths of two youths, Javed Ahmad Bhat and Suhail Ahmad, at Shopian have triggered a fresh wave of turmoil in the Valley. The incident happened on Saturday, 27 January, when Army personnel belonging to 10 Garhwal Rifles had to fire at a stone-pelting mob in Shopian.
An FIR was registered by the police on Sunday, 28 January, under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code.
There was uproar in the J-K Assembly today over the deaths forcing the Speaker to adjourn Question Hour.
Speaking in the Assembly earlier today, Leader of the Opposition Omar Abdullah today questioned the need for a magisterial enquiry especially when the names in the cases have been mentioned.
“We have to give justice to those who have died,” he said.
The enquiry has been ordered by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also said that the matter will reach its “logical conclusion”.
In the Assembly, BJP MLA from Ramnagar RS Pathania demanded that the FIR against the army personnel be dropped.
But Mufti said that she spoke to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about the issue and the Defence Minister told her to take action in case of “carelessness”.
According to a defence spokesperson, the army personnel were forced to fire when the mob tried to lynch a JCO and snatch his service weapon.