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J&K to exhume bodies of alleged militants

Mukhtar Ahmad in Brari Aangan, Anantnag

Under pressure from the people, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah announced in Brari Aangan in Anantnag district today that the bodies of five men killed as militants by the army soon after the Chatti Singhpora massacre would be exhumed tomorrow by the district administration.

Abdullah reached this picturesque village in south Kashmir surrounded by mustard and almond blooms this afternoon to join the people mourning the death of seven demonstrators in police firing at Barakpora on the outskirts of Anantnag on Monday, April 3.

The demonstrators were also insisting that the five persons killed at Pathribal village were unarmed civilians.

Abdullah's announcement came on the heels of the overhaul of the district administration in which the deputy inspector general, south Kashmir, Anantnag district police chief and the deputy commissioner were transferred yesterday.

Introducing the new district magistrate to the agitated villagers in Brari Aangan, the chief minister said, "He will exhume the bodies tomorrow from Pathribal. He will be accompanied by Minister of State for Home Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, state police chief Gurbachan Jagat and a team of forensic experts and officials."

He advised the villagers to remain calm and assured them that "if it is found that the bodies are those of missing persons, I won't spare anyone involved". The residents repeatedly interrupted Abdullah's speech and shouted slogans against the police.

Abdullah said that only close relatives of the missing villagers would be taken to Pathribal to identify the bodies. The residents shouted that the bodies were charred and beyond recognition. The chief minister assured them that DNA tests would be conducted if necessary.

He expressed his sympathies to those who had lost their near and dear ones in the police firing, which he termed "unprovoked". He told the gathering, "There was no need to spray bullets on peaceful protestors who were demanding justice."

"The incident could have been prevented," the chief minister said. He added, "Truth will come out in the judicial inquiry that has been ordered by the government." He said Law Minister P L Handoo is already in New Delhi to consult the Centre and select a Supreme Court judge for the inquiry.

The chief minister claimed to have been kept in the dark by his officers. "I had directed them that if the locals have a suspicion, the bodies should be exhumed immediately. I thought they had done that, but I was shocked when I heared about the firing on the procession."

He advised the villagers to remain calm and warned of a possible conflict with Pakistan. "Two armies are facing each other. Both countries have nuclear bombs. If there is a war, our state will be devastated."

Abdullah said he was hopeful of something positive happening in Kashmir after the recent visit of US President Bill Clinton. "I hope talks will begin soon," he added.

The villagers demanded adequate security in view of the fear that has gripped the village. The chief minister ordered the setting up of a police post in the village to instil confidence in the public. He said Kashmiri Sikhs had decided to stay back with their Muslim brethren and referred to his visit to Baramulla today where he met some Sikhs. "The Sikhs told me their Muslim brothers were their best protection in Kashmir."

The chief minister addressed several public meetings en route and assured the people who were waiting for him that "strict action would be taken against the guilty".

Meanwhile, curfew continued in Anantnag and adjoining areas for the third consecutive day, with troops patrolling the streets. Life in other parts of the valley was paralysed by the strike called by the association of Kashmiri traders to protest against the killing of seven civilians in police firing.

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