July 18 Shopian Encounter: Bodies of slain youth exhumed, handed over to families

Srinagar: After more than 70 days, the bodies of three labourers from Rajouri were exhumed and handed over to their families at Gantamulla Baramulla.

Pertinently three families from Rajouri claimed that they were killed in fake encounter in Amshipora after which authorities ordered for enquiry

On September 18, in a brief statement, the Army had stated that the Shopian operation contravened the dos and don’ts of the Chief of Army Staff approved by the Supreme Court.

The inquiry has brought out certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court have been contravened.

“Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable,” the statement had said.

Soon after the army’s statement, the families of slain youth had demanded immediate exhumation of the bodies of their loved ones for proper burial at Rajouri.

The three families from Rajouri had identified their sons through pictures that went viral on social media. The army had ordered a court of inquiry while police and the administration had been probing the case separately. (KNO)