Shopian incident:Commission extends time for filing complaints

The judicial commission appointed by Jammu and Kashmir government to probe the killing of four youth in CRPF firing in Shopian in September has extended the time by one month for filing complaints or affidavits about the incident.

Justice (retired) M L Kaul commission issued a fresh notification, which appeared in local newspapers today, asking people to file their complaints, affidavits or documents about the September 7 incident till December 23.

No witnesses came forward with any information about the incident, which led to widespread protests in Shopian district, till the expiry of the previous deadline set on November 23.

Four persons were killed at Gagran in Shopian, 55 kms from here, on September 7 on the day when internationally-renowned orchestra conductor Zubin Maestro performed at famed Shalimar gardens here.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered a judicial probe into the killings after the CRPF claim that all the deceased were militants was contested by local residents of Shopian.

While police admitted there was no record of involvement in militancy for the three deceased local youth, it maintained the fourth youth was a Pakistani militant.

The commission, in its notification, said those who want to file the complaints or affidavits or documents about the incident can submit it at the Commission office here or in the office of Deputy Commissioner Shopian.

The commission has been appointed to find out the circumstances leading to the killing of four youth, ascertain the identity of the deceased and if they had any involvement in militancy.

The commission has also been asked to fix responsibility for any act of misuse of authority by the CRPF personnel.