Srinagar, The army on Friday took responsibility for the killing of two youths and injuries to two others in the Nov 3 Chattergam firing, saying it will cooperate with any inquiry.
Addressing
a media conference at the army’s 15 Corps headquarters in Badami Bagh
cantonment here Friday, the army’s Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. D.H. Hooda
said: “We sincerely wish that the killing of civilians wouldn’t have happened.
We share the sorrow of the families.”
“An
inquiry has already been ordered.” Gen.
Hooda said, “Fifteen civilian witnesses have already recorded their statements,
apart from those from the force.” “We
hope in the next 10 days or so, the inquiry is completed if all goes well.” Hooda
also said the army would cooperate with any other inquiry being conducted into
the incident. “We
will cooperate in any other inquiry. Circumstances of the firing are being
investigated.”
“We
take responsibility of what has happened,” the Northern Command GOC-in-C said.
“Compensation
of Rs.10 lakh each for those killed and Rs.5 lakh each for the injured in the
firing has been approved by the defence ministry.” Gen.
Hooda said rehabilitation of the injured would be taken care of by the army.
“I
admit that mistake has happened, otherwise why would two civilian boys have
been killed like this.” Two
youths – Faisal Yusuf Bhat and Mehrajuddin Dar – were killed in Chattergam
village of Badgam district Nov 3 in firing on a speeding car by soldiers of the
53 Rashtriya Rifles.
Two
other youths travelling in the car were injured. The
army had said the driver of the car jumped the mobile vehicle check posts
(MVCPS) set up in Chattergam following information that guerrillas were moving
in the area in a car.
State
police have confirmed that none of the four youths travelling in the ill-fated
car had any militant record.
There
has been a public outcry following the incident. Police
registered an FIR for murder against soldiers of 53 Rashtriya Rifles
responsible for the firing. All
the four youths belonged to Nowgam area of Srinagar district.
Sporadic
clashes between angry protesters and police have been taking place in Nowgam
area since Nov 4 after the bodies of the youths were handed over to their
families.
(Source- www.newsroompost.com)
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