Aggrieved families of Rajouri labourers will get justice: JK LG

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today assured the aggrieved families of three labourers from Rajouri, who had gone missing from Shopian at the same time an encounter took place there, that they would be given justice.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that the aggrieved families of Rajouri, whose three sons were allegedly killed in the Shopian encounter in July this year will get justice.

Sinha said that after the incident, the army and police are carrying out separate probes in the matter and the families have appealed for justice.

"Army and police are carrying out separate investigation into the incident. I assure the aggrieved families that the administration will ensure justice to them," Singh said in reply to a question in a press conference held for the launch of 'Back to Village' on October 2.

Three youth including a minor from Rajouri, who had travelled to Shopian in July for labour, went missing on the evening of July 17.

Abrar Ahmad Khan (17) son of Bagga Khan, his brother-in-law Abrar Ahmad (25) son of Mohammad Yusuf, and their relative Imtiyaz Ahmad (20) son of Sabr Hussain, all residents of Peeri, Kotranka in Rajouri district, had gone to Shopian to work as labourers.

On July 18 morning, police and army in a statement issued by police and later a Briagadier level army officer in a press conference in Shopian claimed to have killed three unidentified militants in an encounter in orchards of Amshipora village in south Kashmir's Shopian district.

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"We have noted social media inputs linked to the operation at Shopian on 18 Jul 2020. The three Terrorists killed during the operation have not been identified and the bodies were buried based on established protocols. Army is investigating the matter," said Srinagar-based defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia in a statement issued in August.

The families said that the three youth had been quarantined by the administration in view of the COVID-19 guidelines for travellers and as such didn't report them missing even after not being able to reach them. They said their mobiles were switched off after they had reached Shopian.

However, three weeks later on August 8 the families identified the three youth as their sons after pictures went viral on social media.

The families protested compelling the army and police to begin separate probes. A police team with doctors was sent to Rajouri from Shopian on August 18 to collect their DNA samples. However, the report has not been handed over to the families.

About the 'Back to Village' programme to be launched on October 2, the LG said that every panchayat will be allotted Rs 10 lakh for development works as officers from the administration will fan out in every village of the UT to hear development grievances of the people and formulate plans for their redressal.

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He said that the officers from the administration will only facilitate the works and rest everything will be done by the panchayat members themselves. "The aim is to make every village in J&K a model village," he said.

The LG said that for revival of economy and business hit during COVID-19 lockdown, the government has set up a committee to suggest a package.

"The committee has submitted its report which is under consideration with the Government of India and I think within a week a big package will be announced for revival of business," he said.

He also said that the administration led by him will look into the issue of frequent traffic jams on highways due to huge convoy movement of security forces especially army and the CRPF. "Give me some time, I will talk to you (media) on this issue," he said.

The LG also said that there will be public Darbar at divisional and sub-divisional levels across J&K on every Wednesday where Divisional Commissioners and DCs will listen to the grievances of people and ensure timely redressal.

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