Engineer Rashid protests delay over magisterial probe of Handwara killings

Independent legislator Engineer Rashid staged a protest inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday over the delay in the magisterial probe of the Handwara killings, and sought an explanation from the PDP-BJP state government on why it was retracting on its promise of completing the enquiry within a month.

Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Congress also take part in the protest inside the assembly and staged a walk out.

"The chief minister has announced that the magisterial probe will be completed within a month. Government has not been able to complete the magisterial probe within promised stipulated time period of one month. The assembly runs under Delhi, everything is controlled from Delhi. The governor is the agent of Delhi," Rashid told ANI here.

Handwara witnessed massive clashes between the police and locals on April 12 after the news of a girl being molested by an army soldier spread. The area was under curfew for a week.

Five people were killed in firing by security forces during the protests. But in a controversial video shot inside a police station, the girl had denied the molestation allegation. The girl has later changed her statement saying she was under pressure.

"They (policemen) spoke to me nicely so I narrated the whole incident to them. After which they told me not to tell the real story to anyone. And added that if I divulged anything, then my family and me might land in trouble. They threatened our lives. I told them that to lie is wrong and I won't lie. There and then, one of the three policemen got up and slapped me and forced me to lie. I retaliated for a while and then I succumbed to their pressure and changed my statement," said the victim.