Under fire for killing two youth at Chattergam, Indian army has accepted the mistake and promised action to cool the tempers in the poll-bound Valley. The army has also announced the compensation of Rs10 lakh each for the two slain and Rs five lakh for the two injured
"I am admitting to you that mistake has been made. Otherwise why should two young boys die and two are in our hospital. We take responsibility and enquiry will determine the exact circumstances and how the mistake has taken place," Lieutenant General DS Hooda, general officer commanding in chief (GoC-in-C) Northern Command, told reporters here.
Troopers of 53 Rashtriya Riffles opened fire at a Maruti car on November 3 when they allegedly failed to stop at a check post near the village. Four people travelling in the vehicle received gunshot and were shifted to the army hospital by the troopers. However two of them later succumbed to their injuries and the condition of two others is undergoing treatment in the army's 92-base hospital. Fifth teenager travelling in the Maruti car had a miraculous escape.
Indian army had earlier said three mobile vehicle check posts (MVCP) were established along Nowgam-Pulwama road on November based on the specific intelligence reports about the movement of militants. The army had claimed that the car had not stopped on two check posts and "at the third check point, the vehicle tried to barge through the check point, resulting into a firing incident in which four persons were injured".
Preliminary enquiry conducted by the district development commissioner Budgam had nailed the claims of the army saying the troopers fired at the car killing two youth when it skidded off the road and hit the pole at Chattergam village of Budgam district.
The Northern Army Commander promised highest standard of truth and transparency will be followed in their enquiry and vowed to cooperate with any other inquiry by the police or the state government.
"As of now 15 civilian witnesses have been examined (by army enquiry). Service witness has also been examined. Highest standard of truth and transparency will be followed. Hopefully everything goes well and all witnesses come in and within 10 days or so we will complete our enquiry. We will also cooperate in any other inquiry by the police or state government", he said
Lt Gen Hooda said it will be their focus that there is no repeat of such incidents. "We would be grateful to receive any suggestion or any advice from the civil society how we can improve on our procedures", he said.
The army has also removed the 53 RR unit accused of firing at the car and replaced it by the unit of 35 RR. "We have specific do's and do not's for conduct of operations which have been spelled out to the troops. If these have been violated we will deal with it appropriately," he said.
Meanwhile, alert troops foiled an infiltration attempt in Pallanwala Sector injuring one soldier. "Taking advantage of bad weather, terrorists tried to infiltrate. In the ensuing fire fight, one jawan was injured who is stable now.
Area was immediately cordoned and combing operations are in progress when last report came in", said Lt Col Manish Mehta, defence spokesman at Jammu.
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