Commission invites statements on Kishtwar violence

Jammu and Kashmir government had appointed Justice (retired) R C Gandhi to probe into the matter

The one-man judicial commission probing the August 9 communal clashes in Kishtwar district in which three people were killed today asked individuals, organisations and others to submit their statements within 15 days.

To facilitate the process of inquiry to arrive at a truthful conclusion, all individuals, organisations, officials and others are invited to furnish their statements of facts and allegations in affidavits before the commission, Secretary of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) said in a notification here.

It said the affidavits, duly verified by the deponents and sworn before any court or magistrate or public notary, along with three photocopies should be submitted to the Secretary of the Commission within 15 days time.

Jammu and Kashmir government had appointed Justice (retired) R C Gandhi to inquire into circumstances which led to the violence and arson and the consequent loss of life and property in district Kishtwar.

It will also enquire into administrative lapses, if any, while handling the situation and fix responsibility of persons involved in the acts of violence, arson and loss of life and property.

Three people were killed, over 20 others injured and nearly 150 business establishments and vehicles were gutted in communal riots in Kishtwar district on August 9.

Justice Gandhi, who began probe on Sunday, along with senior officers visited riot hit areas of Kishtwar. The Commission also interacted with officials.

Former Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Saleem Mohd, and former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sunil Gupta, were among those summoned by the commission.

Saleem and Gupta were shifted on the day violence erupted in Kishtwar.

The Commission is expected to submit his report in a month.

Curfew was clamped for 12 days in Kishtwar and army deployed to bring the situation under control.