Kashmir orders shifting of Shopian CRPF camp, open to judicial probe

Expressing grave concern over the incidents of violence in Shopian district Sep 7 and 11, the Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday announced it had decided to shift the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp from near Gagaran village there.

Ordering a magisterial inquiry, it also promised to set up a judicial probe if "facts were not established" by the former.

According to an official statement, a cabinet meeting, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presiding, expressed grave concern over the recent incidents of violence in Shopian.

Taking stock of the investigation by police into the incident of firing Sep 7 at Gagaran village, it "noted with dismay that there is no clarity on the facts of the case even after five days of the incident", the statement said.

"The cabinet directed the police authorities to determine the facts of the case, including the identity of the so far unidentified deceased person, within the next 48 hours.

"A judicial enquiry, to be conducted by a sitting judge of the high court, may be ordered, thereafter, in case the facts are not established," it said.

"The director general of police was also directed to replace the CRPF personnel at the Gagaran Camp with a contingent of the state armed police," the statement added.

Four people were killed in CRPF firing in Gagaran Saturday and later three of whom were proved to have been unarmed civilians. Another civilian was allegedly killed in CRPF firing in Gagaran Wednesday following which curfew was imposed in Shopian town.

Meanwhile, the divisional commissioner, Kashmir, has appointed the Shopian district magistrate to inquire into the incident and report to the government.