J-K LG Manoj Sinha orders magisterial inquiry into Hyderpora ‘gunfight’

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Hyderpora encounter in which four persons including a building owner and a doctor were killed.

As per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Office of the J&K LG tweeted: “A magisterial inquiry by officer of ADM rank has been ordered in Hyderpora encounter. Govt will take suitable action as soon as report is submitted in a time-bound manner. JK admin reiterates commitment of protecting lives of innocent civilians it will ensure there is no injustice.”

Four persons were killed in Hyderpora encounter on Monday evening. However, families of three slain contested police claim stating that the slain were innocent.

Police chief of Kashmir Vijay Kumar admitted that building owner Altaf Ahmed was a civilian who got killed in a cross-fire but stated that Dr Mudasir Gul was an OGW while the third one was identified as Amir Ahmed.

The fourth slain was identified as a foreign militant, Haider. Families of Altaf and Dr Gul staged protest at Press Enclave till late night, forcing police to foil the protest by taking the protestors into preventive custody. The arrested persons were later released.

The families were demanding bodies of Altaf and Dr Gul, who according to Police have been laid to rest at Handwara.

There has been a massive outcry over the Hyderpora encounter across Kashmir with mainstream leaders including former chief minister’s demanding handing over of bodies of Altaf and Dr Gul back to their families for burial besides demanding an “impartial probe.”