Kin of civilians killed in Army’s custody in Poonch get appointment letters

Our Correspondent

Srinagar, March 3

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today handed over appointment letters to the next of kin of the civilians killed allegedly in Army’s custody in Poonch in December last year. The job letters were given to Zareena Begum, wife of Safeer Ahmed; Mohd Kabir, brother of Shabir Ahmad; and Mohd Razaq, brother of Showkat Ali, all residents of Bufliaz village in Surankote, Poonch, a government spokesman said.

The spokesperson said that allotment orders of land measuring one kanal each were also handed over to the families for residential purpose. Sinha assured the family members of all possible support from the administration in future. Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohd Yasin was also present.

On December 21 last year, four soldiers were killed and three others injured when terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz. Three civilians — Safeer Ahmed (43), Mohd Showkat Ali (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) — were picked up by the Army for questioning following the ambush and they were found dead the next day. The administration had on February 23 announced compensation and jobs to the next of kin of the slain civilians.

The killing of the three civilians sparked an outrage and the Army acted promptly and initiated a court of inquiry into the alleged torture and subsequent death of the three civilians. A brigadier-level officer, in-charge of the Surankote belt, was immediately shifted and the Army also assured action against officers of the unit concerned, while the police have registered a murder case against the Army unit.

In January, the Army also announced its decision to adopt Topa Peer, the village of the deceased civilians, and transform it into a model village as part of a major outreach initiative.

Accompanied by Army Chief Manoj Pande and Lieutenant Governor Sinha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the families of the killed civilians during his visit to Rajouri district on December 27 last year and assured justice.

(With PTI inputs)

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