Army Assures Rehab for Victims, Speedy Probe in Handwara Shooting

Army seeks early completion of enquiry in the Handwara shooting incident which has claimed four civilian lives.

People pelt stones on an army vehicle a day after two people were killed in army firing in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir, 13 April 2016. (Photo: IANS)

The Indian Army has assured speedy probe in the Handwara Army shooting after the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda also visited the site where citizens set an Army bunker was set ablaze on Tuesday.

The crowd turned violent after a teenage girl alleged that an Armyman had followed her inside a toilet.

People gather around the bodies of two men killed in army firing in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, 12 April 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Mehbooba Mufti Met Manohar Parrikar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday and condemned the incident in Handwara.

Such tragic incidents have a huge negative impact on the efforts of the government and political leadership in bringing peace to state. I’ve spoken to the Defence Minister who has assured me that there will be an inquiry, those responsible will be punished and at the same time families of the victims will be fully compensated. 

Mehbooba Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister

A magisterial probe and a departmental inquiry are being conducted into the incident, a police official has said.

After their meeting, Lt Gen Hooda visited the site and assured that the inquiry ordered in the incident will be completed at the earliest.

Police Step In; Army Releases Video

The crowd in the Handwara region had turned violent after the teenage girl’s allegations of an Armyman following her inside a toilet. Close to 500 people gathered outside the Handwara Army post and set it ablaze.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector was suspended from his post for mishandling the situation on Tuesday.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiq Ahmad has been suspended pending inquiries into yesterday’s incident.

Senior Police Officer

Even though the Army condemned the attack, it released a video of the teenager, without citing its source, where the girl does not mention the Army jawan.

Following appeals for a valley-wide shutdown by separatist leaders to protest Handwara firing, authorities on Wednesday imposed restrictions in six police station areas – Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal and Maisuma in Srinagar city.