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Mirwaiz for impartial probe

Shujaat Bukhari

Shopian observes bandh for the 26th consecutive day; thousands take out march

Majlis-e-Mashawarat has set June 29 as deadline for booking the culprits
People have no have faith in investigation conducted by the Muzaffar Jan Commission

SRINAGAR: After being kept under house arrest 22 days, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, head of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, visited Shopian on Wednesday and called for an impartial probe into the alleged rape and killing of two women.

He said the people did not have faith in the investigation being conducted by the Muzaffar Jan Commission.

After his release, the Mirwaiz headed straight to Shopian, where thousands took out a march, demanding severe punishment to those who allegedly committed the crime on May 29. The town observed a bandh for the 26th consecutive day.

Majlis-e-Mashawarat, which is spearheading the agitation, has set June 29 as the deadline for bringing the culprits to justice. The responsibility for whatever happened thereafter would rest with the government, it has said. The Mirwaiz extended support to the agitation.

Visiting the house of the victims, he demanded an impartial probe, as “the people have lost faith” in the government. “People told me that they have identified the culprits and given the names to the commission, but no action is being initiated. So the whole process in the name of a judicial probe is useless,” the Mirwaiz told The Hindu. He said that after the deadline expired, “we will try to have a consensus on the issue and will consult all leaders.” The Mirwaiz accused political parties of exploiting the people’s sentiments. “If they are sincere, they should bring a Bill in the Assembly to withdraw the special powers given to the security forces.”

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