An inquiry has been ordered and it will be completed expeditiously, an officer said
Srinagar: The Army on Friday took responsibility for the death of two teenagers after its soldiers fired upon a Maruti 800 car at Chattergam on the outskirts of Srinagar earlier this week. The shooting had also left two injured. A senior Army officer said, “We sincerely wish that the killing of civilians wouldn't have happened. We share the sorrow of the families.”
Lt. Gen. DS Hooda, the Northern Command GoC, however, said in a press conference here, “There was some information about a white car with terrorists. Obviously, the identity was mistaken in this case. We take responsibility for the death.”
On Monday, five teenagers were shot at while driving through the Chattergam area in central Budgam district. While two died and two were injured, one managed to escape to the fields. The Army's 53 Rashtriya Rifles claimed that they fired at the car when it didn't stop despite being signalled at two checkpoints and even tried to break through the third barrier. The families of the boys, however, allege that the firing started without warning.
The shooting incident sparked off widespread protests in Srinagar, forcing the authorities to clamp curfew. In rest of the Valley of Kashmir, a protest shutdown called by separatist parties brought life to a standstill for one day on Wednesday while Srinagar areas particularly Nowgam where the teenagers lived continued to witness protests and clashes between irate mobs and police for the fifth day running on Friday.
Lt. Gen. Hooda promised a transparent inquiry and action if rules had been violated. He also announced cash relief for the families of the deceased and in favour of those injured. He said the inquiry into the incident would be completed within days and action taken against anyone found guilty of violating the rules of engagement.
“Let me state this very clearly that we take responsibility for what happened,” he said adding, “While mistakes happen on the ground, every time lessons are learnt and it is our desire that procedures are put in place that such incidents do not happen”.
While Army had immediately after the incident ordered a probe, the local police registered a case against the soldiers and took up investigations separately. Reiterating the inquiry would be completed expeditiously, the Army commander said, “It commenced the very next day (of the incident). As of now, 15 civilian witnesses have been examined. The service witnesses have been examined. I want to assure everyone here that the highest standards of truth and highest standards of transparency will be followed.” Lt. Gen. Hooda further said, “We’re targeting that the inquiry is completed within days and not months. Hopefully, if all goes well and all the witnesses come in, we will have completed the inquiry in the next 10 days.”
He said the Ministry of Defence has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of kin of the slain youth along with Rs 5 lakh each for the injured boys.
“We would like to assure the families of our fullest support and our fullest cooperation. We are committed to rehabilitation. We are committed to full recovery of those injured,” he said. According to the Army officer, the injured are being provided quality medical care at the 92 Base Hospital here and that “we are hopeful that there are no long-term issues as far as their medical health is concerned.” He also assured the rehabilitation of the injured boys will also be taken up by Army.
Replying questions, he said Army will cooperate with any other agency which might be asked to probe the incident. “We will fully cooperate with any other investigation that is to be done, whether by police or ordered by the State government or otherwise. The Army is fully committed to wholeheartedly participating in that (investigation),” he said. He also said that the Army sincerely wished that the incident had not occurred in the first place. “Since it has happened we would welcome any suggestions that could help prevent the loss of innocent lives in future. It will be our focus to ensure that there is no repeat of such incidents in future.”
The Army commander said that the unit involved in the incident has been relocated from the area and troops of the 35 Rashtriya Rifles have been posted there now. In response to a question, Lt Gen. Hooda said, “AFSPA has actually nothing to do with this. Let the investigation be completed. Legal action will be taken if we find out that the rules of engagement were violated.”
