Army court recommends life term for captain over Amshipora fake encounter killings of trio
Mehbooba Mufti welcomes Army court's move
Srinagar, Mar 6: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Monday welcomed an Army court's decision to recommend life imprisonment for a captain of the force in connection with the killing of three labourers in a "staged" encounter in Amshipura area of Shopian district in 2020.
She expressed hope that an impartial probe would also be ordered into the Lawaypora and Hyderpora encounters that took place in 2021.
Retweeting a news report on the development, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, "Recommended punishment of life imprisonment for Captain involved in Amshipora fake encounter is a welcome step towards creating accountability in such cases. Hope an impartial probe is also ordered in Lawapora and Hyderpora encounters to prevent the repetition of such ghastly incidents (sic)."
Completing general court-martial proceedings in less than a year, an Army court has recommended life imprisonment for a captain in connection with the killing of three men in a "staged" encounter in Amshipura in south Kashmir in July 2020, officials said Sunday.
Captain Bhoopendra Singh was subjected to court martial after a Court of Inquiry and Summary of Evidence found that troops had "exceeded" powers vested under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), they said.
The life sentence is subject to confirmation by higher army authorities, the officials said.
Later, while discussing the Army court's recommendation with various party leaders, Mehbooba said it is a positive step towards upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for the victims.
"It sends a strong message that such acts of violence and abuse of power by those in uniform will not be tolerated," she added.
For ensuring accountability and inculcating a proactive will for responsibility and justice among security forces, Mehbooba said this case highlights the need for better accountability and oversight mechanisms within the armed forces to prevent such incidents from happening.
"Going forward, it is crucial that the armed forces take concrete steps to ensure that their personnel adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct," she said.
That the accused was able to commit such a heinous crime and pass off innocent civilians as militants raise serious concerns about the "culture of impunity and lack of accountability that often pervades within the military", the PDP chief said.
To build trust between the civilian population and the military and work towards a peaceful and just society, Mehbooba sought conducting thorough investigations into Lawaypora and Hyderpora encounters and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
She also pinned her hopes on the investigating agencies to probe the recent case, in which the body of Rashid Dar of Kunan village in Kupwara was found in a forest "after he went missing in army custody two months earlier".
Recommended punishment of life imprisonment for Captain involved in Amshipora fake encounter is a welcome step towards creating accountability in such cases.Hope an impartial probe is also ordered in Lawapora & Hyderpora encounters to prevent repetition of such ghastly incidents https://t.co/z9wfrQXFyV
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 6, 2023
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T'gana RTC strike: Talks between govt, employees successful
Hyderabad (PTI): Talks between employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) who were on strike and the state government concluded successfully on Friday as the government agreed to the key demands of the workmen.
Following a day-long marathon of talks between the leaders of the employees' Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the cabinet sub-committee, the government announced after midnight that it acceded to the demands, including a merger of RTC with the government, 11 per cent pay revision and elections to the employees' unions.
A committee comprising officials and employee leaders would be appointed over the merger of RTC with the government, it said.
The RTC management has also agreed to address the remaining issues as well, an official release said.
The employees would call off their strike and the RTC buses would hit the roads shortly, it said.
The employees had been on an indefinite strike since April 22 over a series of demands, including the merger of RTC with the government.
Earlier in the day, a driver of the RTC, who attempted suicide on April 23 during the strike, died at a hospital here in the early hours of Friday.
Shankar Goud, a 55-year-old driver, set himself ablaze by pouring petrol at Narsampet in Warangal district when the employees were staging a protest on Thursday in support of their demands.
Goud suffered serious burns, was initially admitted to a state-run hospital in Warangal, and later shifted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad for advanced treatment.
"He succumbed (to injuries) at about 1.30 am on Friday," a senior official said.
The driver’s body was taken to his relative’s village, Muttojipet in Warangal district, for funeral rites.
Tension prevailed in Muttojipet as his family members and RTC employees attempted to take the body to the Narsampet bus station, where he worked, to enable his colleagues to pay their last respects. However, police did not permit this, citing law-and-order concerns.
This led to a deadlock before the funeral could proceed.
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticised the Telangana government for not allowing the body to be taken to the Narsampet bus station.
Kumar, Minister of State (Home), visited Muttojipet village in Warangal district, where the funeral was held, and paid homage to Goud.
“They (family members) want to take the body to the bus depot for five minutes. Is the RTC bus depot in Pakistan or Bangladesh? They are emotionally attached to taking the body there. The government is hurting sentiments and creating fear among RTC employees,” Kumar told reporters.
He also expressed anger at the police for not allowing the body to be taken to the bus station and staged a protest, according to a release from his office.
RTC employees and BJP workers attempted to take the mortal remains in an ambulance to Narsampet, but were stopped by the police.
Later, after discussions with the police, the family members and RTC employees agreed to conduct the funeral in the village.
Sanjay Kumar, stating he would abide by the family’s decision, left the village after the funeral was conducted there.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh, a house, and a government job would be provided to the kin of Goud.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the employee’s death and conveyed deep condolences to the grieving family, according to the release.
The RTC employees’ JAC had earlier announced an agitation programme from April 24 to 29, including silent marches and submission of memorandums to MLAs and other leaders.
