Retired judge to head Kishtwar probe panel

Justice (retired) Rattan Chand Gandhi, a former judge of the Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan high courts, will head the judicial probe into the Aug 9 communal clashes in Kishtwar.

A general administration department notification issued Aug 23 said the government, in exercise of powers conferred by section three of Jammu and Kashmir Commission of Inquiry Act, 1962, has appointed a commission of inquiry.

The one-member panel would inquire into the circumstances which led to the violence and arson and consequent loss of life and property in Kishtwar.

The notification also said the commission would inquire into administrative lapses, if any, in handling the situation.

The commission has been asked to give its report within one month from the day the notification was issued.

Meanwhile, the state government has rescinded its earlier order appointing Jammu Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu to head the magisterial probe into the Kishtwar violence.

Three people had died and there was much damage to property in the violence.

According to the reports, a group of people, raising anti-national slogans after the Eid prayers, was attacked by another section of people in Kuleed area of the town leading to tension.

The army was called out to help the district administration and indefinite curfew was clamped for 13 days.