HRC Kashmir orders inquiry into 1990 Gawkadal massacre
Srinagar, December 26: In Srinagar, the Human Rights Commission of Kashmir has ordered the Superintendent of Police (SP) to hold inquiry into pending Gawkadal massacre and submit a report within two months. The inquiry has been ordered on a complaint filed by human rights activist, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo on May 1, 2012. On 21st of January 1990 a peaceful demonstration protesting against Chota Bazar molestation, at Gow Kadal, Srinagar was fired by Indian troops resulting into the death of 50 persons and several others injured.
Muhammad Ahsan Untoo through his complaint had prayed that the Commission should take cognisance of the matter and an enquiry in the killing should be conducted and the innocent persons killed in the same manner be compensated.
According to Untoo, on January 21, 1990 a peaceful demonstration against Chota Bazar molestation at Gawkadal was fired upon resulting into the death of 50 persons. Many protesters were injured in the incident.
He said, “For 22 years the authorities have neither prosecuted any official involved in this gruesome massacre nor have it allowed credible investigation, instead the police has filed an FIR in the Kral Khud police station against the protesters.
The complainant had informed the Commission that the CRPF and police personnel had deliberately fired on the peaceful protestors on the head and chest with the intention to kill them.
On 21st of January 1990 a peaceful demonstration protesting against Chota Bazar molestation, at Gow Kadal, Srinagar was fired upon resulting into the death of 50 persons and several others injured.
For 22 years the Government has neither prosecuted any official involved in this gruesome massacre nor has it allowed any credible investigation, instead the police has filed an FIR in the Kral Khud Police station under FIR no: 3/90, against the protestors claiming them to have attacked the police and CRPF personnel and also recorded the death of 22 persons.
Following is the text:
Email: ifjhrfjk772@gmail.com Face Book: untooahsan@yahoo.in
untooahsan@yahoo.in web:www.ahsanuntoo.blogspot.com
H.O: Lal Chowk Srinagar-Kmr-01 Ph No: +91-9469772684, 9596370885
INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR JUSTICE / HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM (J&K)
All Human Beings Are Born Free & Equal in Dignity & Rights
Ref. No: IFJHRFJK/2012/________ Dated: ______/04/2012
Before the Hon’ble State Human Rights Commissioner Srinagar.
In the case of : 1. International Forum for justices
through its Chairman Ahsan Untoo.
2. Human Rights Forum J&K
V/S
1. J&K State through Commissioner Secretary Home.
2. Director General of Police. J&K
3. S.P. East
4. S.H.O Kralkhud
5. Alla Bakash then D.S.P Kothibagh.
6. D.I.G. CRPF Kashmir Range.
In the matter of: Petition seeking direction from the Hon’ble
Commission to constitute a team for investigation of a massacre which took place on 21st of January 1990 at Gowk Kadal Srinagar.
May it please your Honour:-
The petitioner submits as under:-
1. That the petitioners being the Chairman of International Forum for justice and Human Rights forum J&K are striving for the cause of Human Rights in the valley for last 12 years and have every right to invoke the jurisdiction of this Hon’ble Commission.
2. That on 21st of January 1990 peaceful demonstration was held through out valley against the atrocities committed by the CRPF in the different localities of the valley.
3. That one such procession was going on near Gow Kadal Srinagar in which thousands of peaceful protestors were demanding that a stringent Action may be taken against the CRPF and the mob was totally peaceful.
4. That when the procession reached near Gow Kadal Chowk the then DSP Kothibagh Alla Baksh alongwith his team which was lead by the CRPF personals fired indiscriminately on the peaceful protestors in which 50 persons were killed on the spot and 250 got injured.
5. That the CRPF and police personels had deliberately fired on the peaceful protestors on the head and chest with the intention to kill all there incidents were planned by the then DSP Alla Baksh there by creating the first incident of Human Rights Violations.
6. That the concerned authorities have lodged an FIR in P/S Kral Khud under FIR No: 3/90 in which the concerned authorities have shown that only 21 persons were killed and the said FIR was lodged when the Human Rights agencies prevailed upon the Govt. of India to investigate the matter and till date no investigation was conducted and the persons who were involved in the murder of 52 persons are roaming freely and one among them who is the main conspirator is then DSP Alla Baksh who is roaming freely and the unfortunate part is that the said conspirator has been awarded promotions and doles.
7. That the petitioner being the protectors of the Human Rights in the valley seeks the indulgence of this Hon’ble Commission to take cognizance of the matter and constitue a team to conduct a full fledged enquiry in the matter and direct the officials to furnish the detailed report regarding the status of the investigation in the said manner.
Prayer :
In the premises it is therefore prayed that the Hon’ble Commission may take cognizance of the matter and enquiry in the said killing may be conducted and the innocent persons killed in the same manner may be compensated. Also an FIR may lodged against the DSP Alla Baksh.
Petitioner
Ahsan Untoo
Chairman IFJ/HRF JK
SHRC orders fresh inquiry into 1990 Srinagar massacre that left 50 dead
The closure for victim families of civilian killings in Kashmir continues to be a distant dream. The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Wednesday ordered a fresh inquiry into a massacre that took place 22 years ago in Srinagar.
A division bench of the SHRC, comprising justice JA
Kawoos and justice Rafiq Fida, while hearing a petition in the Gow Kadal massacre ordered a fresh inquiry to be conducted by the superintendent of police of the police investigation wing of the commission.
The human rights groups, International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Forum (J&K), on May 1, 2012 filed a petition before the SHRC seeking justice for the victim families.
Later, the SHRC issued notices to the director general of police, J&K, union home secretary, state home secretary and inspector general of police, Kashmir, to submit their reports.
"Since the petition, there were eight successive hearings where the state officials and the officials of the government of India failed to submit their responses," human rights activist Ahsan Untoo said.
At least 50 people were allegedly killed in security forces’ firing during a protest demonstration on January 21, 1990 near Gow Kadal, in heart of Srinagar. The protest was over alleged molestation of women by security forces in the area.
"For the past 22 years, the government has neither prosecuted any official involved in the gruesome massacre nor has it allowed any credible investigation," the petition said.
The petition alleged that the police had filed an FIR in the Kral Khud police station under FIR no 3/90 against the protestors instead, claiming they attacked the police and CRPF personnel.
One of the accused in the case, ex-deputy inspector general Allah Baksh, who expired recently, never faced any inquiry, alleged the rights activist.
The rights groups have expressed satisfaction over the fresh order of inquiry.
"We expect a free and impartial inquiry. We urge the government officials to cooperate in this fresh inquiry so that justice can be delivered to the family members of the victims and the culprits should be held accountable for their crime," Untoo said.
As Kashmir enters into a less-violent militancy phase, the cry for closure of cases of the past 22 years is gaining momentum. But the government is grappling to deliver justice given a huge number of such cases.
The SHRC has also come under attack from rights group recently for its failure to deliver justice.