Hyderpora encounter: Govt orders magisterial inquiry

Srinagar, Nov 18: Government on Thursday ordered magisterial inquiry by additional district magistrate into controversial “encounter” at Hyderpora in which four persons were killed on Monday.
“A magisterial inquiry by officer of ADM rank has been ordered in Hyderpora encounter,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a tweet . “Govt will take suitable action as soon as report is submitted in a time-bound manner,” he said, adding, “JK admin reiterates commitment of protecting lives of innocent civilians & it will ensure there is no injustice.”
Hours after the announcement by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Deputy Commissioner here appointed ADC Srinagar Khurshid Ahmad Shah as an inquiry officer into controversial Hyderpora “encounter” and asked him to submit the report within 15 days.
“Whereas, an encounter took place at Hyderpora National Highway near Classic Hospital, Srinagar in the intervening night of 15-11-2021 and 16-11-2021,” reads an order by the Deputy Commissioner.
He said a case (FIR vide No. 193/2021) on November 16 has been registered in Police Station Hyderpora, Srinagar “which discloses death of four persons including (militants) in the encounter, and is under investigation by an SIT.”
“It has been felt expedient to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the matter-so as to ascertain the facts and circumstances related to the incident and the cause of death,” the order reads, adding, “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 176 of CrPC,
Khurshid Ahmad Shah (KAS) Additional District Magistrate, Srinagar is appointed inquiry officer to to conduct a magisterial inquiry in the above mentioned incident.”
The Inquiry Offfce has been asked to submit his report within a period of 15 days.
Meanwhile, the ADC Srinagar has issued a general notice, asking general public/ person in knowledge of the incident and is willing to record his/ her statement or wants to give any other information about the incident, to attend his office in the office complex of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Amar Niwas Complex, Tankipora, Srinagar for recording the statements within 10 days from the date from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM during working days, so that the enquiry in the case is completed. (GNS)