SRINAGAR: As the body of the three victims of the Shopian fake encounter are in the process of being exhumed and handed over to their Rajouri families, the investigations are picking up the pace.
Police have already rounded up two civilians and remanded them to seven-day police custody by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shopian.
The Indian Express quoted sources saying that the two individuals worked as “informers” for the Army. The police have detained a third person as well but not formally arrested.
“Superintendent of Police Shopian, Amritpal Singh said that the two have been arrested under sections 302, 120-B IPC and section 7/25 Arms Act,” The Indian Express reported. “Three persons had given their final deposition before the Army Court of Inquiry on Saturday. Sources have told The Indian Express that the three were “the last contacts of the three deceased” and are being questioned for their role in the incident.”
Army in August had set up a Court of Inquiry to investigate the allegations that the September 18 encounter was fake and the victims were civilians.
The latest revelation in Chandigarh based The Tribune said “at least four Army men, including an officer, have been prima facie found guilty of exceeding powers vested under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)” in the fake encounter.
A senior defence official told the newspaper: “The SoE has been initiated against the erring Army men and it is being recorded by a senior Army officer based at the headquarters of the Army’s Victor Force. The outcome of the SoE will decide whether to initiate court-martial proceedings against the four accused.” These men have been found “guilty” for exceeding powers vested under the AFSPA.
