Srinagar, Mar 6 : Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said the army court awarding life imprisonment to a Captain involved in a “staged encounter” in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, is a welcome step towards creating accountability in such cases.
A General Court Martial (GCM) has recommended life imprisonment to a Captain , in connection with the killing of three civilians in a “staged encounter” at Amshipura in Shopian district of Kashmir in July 2020, official sources said.
They said the Army court verdict is subject to confirmation by the Army headquarters in Delhi.The Army has not said anything officially about the GCM so far. “Recommended punishment of life imprisonment for Captain involved in Amshipora fake encounter is a welcome step towards creating accountability in such cases. Hope an impartial probe is also ordered in Lawapora & Hyderpora encounters to prevent repetition of such ghastly incidents,” Mufti tweeted.
In July 2020, Army said three Pakistani militants were killed at Amshipora in Shopian district. Days later, locals alleged that the three slain men killed were cousins from Rajouri district who were working as labourers. The DNA samples of three killed confirmed that the slain trio were from Rajouri.
The army later ordered a court of inquiry which found that the troops had exceeded powers vested under Armed Forces Special Power Act or AFSPA and acted in contravention to the rules approved by the Supreme Court.
