Politics

Mehbooba Mufti led govt. in J&K set to compensate kin of Burhan Wani over his elder brothers’ death

Mehbooba govt. approves compensation for death of Khalid Wani, brother of Burhan

December 14, 2016

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]T[/dropcap]wenty months after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s elder brother, Khalid Muzaffar Wani, was reportedly killed in army firing in Kamala forests of Tral area in Pulwama district Mehbooba Mufti led alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir has now cleared his case for the grant of ex-gratia relief to the tune of Rs.4 lakhs ($6000) to the next of kin.

As per the stated policy of the state government an ex-gratia relief is provided to the next of kin of those victims who are killed in militancy related incidents.

This is one of the unique cases related to militancy related violence as versions of both the Indian army and state police force were different and has already triggered a debate in the corridors of power.

As per the stated policy of the state government an ex-gratia relief is provided to the next of kin of those victims who are killed in militancy related incidents.

The government’s announcement of relief for Khalid’s family has now once again opened pandora’s box for the security forces in the state.Earlier, death of HM Commander Burhan Wani had led to escalation of violence across Kashmir valley for over four months in a row.

According to a notification issued by the deputy commissioner, Pulwama, ex-gratia relief under rules has been cleared by the district-level screening-cum-consultative committee (DLSCC) in favour of next of kin of those persons who died in militancy-related incidents.

Among the 17 names in the list of persons killed in militancy-related incidents is Wani’s brother, Khalid Muzaffar Wani.

The DLSCC meeting took place under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner, Pulwama, Muneer-ul-Islam, on November 24,2016. The deputy commissioner has sought objections, if any, to the notice within seven days before the formal orders are issued.

Under the rules, an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh is sanctioned in such cases.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s first reaction after the ex-gratia to Khalid Muzaffar Wani was cleared by the BJP-PDP alliance govt

“During the past five months excessive force was used and I don’t deny that but normalcy has started prevailing and I hope police will cooperate and change its behavior while dealing with people. Its time now to differentiate between militants and their families,” she said.

Mehbooba said once the peace would prevail as a permanent feature, she would raise bar for revocation of “tough laws” like AFSPA and PSA.

“I want to use PSA against criminals and smugglers only not against elderly men and youth,” she added.

Reaction of Working President of National Conference and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah

In response to order of government announcing ex-gratia to the family of Khalid, Omar tweeted, “Since the Govt has cleared Burhan’s brother as innocent will there be an inquiry in to how the army killed an innocent person in 2015?”

BJP’ left red faced

Ruling coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly reacted to the move and vowed to take up the matter with government. The Congress has alleged that this is being done by the PDP keeping in view the upcoming Lok Sabha bi-election in South Kashmir.

On the other hand BJP state chief spokesperson and a senior lawyer, Advocate Sunil Sethi said, “BJP is opposing the compensation to Burhan’s brother.”

“SRO-43 is for the victims of militancy and not for the militant’s family. It is very clear and BJP will also raise this issue with the state government”.

Army and State police not on the same page?

The notification issued by the office of Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama has painted the image of the Indian army in a bad light at a time when the situation on ground zero is returning to normalcy but continue to remain grim.

Ironically, the day Burhan Wani’s elder brother was killed in the firing incident a Srinagar based spokesman of Ministry of Defence had issued a statement claiming, “Khalid Wani, who has been operating as an over-ground worker, had taken the three youth, who were later arrested by the police, to meet Burhan for their recruitment into tanzeem (a terrorist outfit). The incident has thus prevented the three youth from being misguided by late Khalid Wani into joining the militant ranks.”

Even police was confused?

Even the then Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Javaid Gillani had stated the investigation showed that the four had gone to meet Burhan Wani. “As of now, investigations have revealed that Khalid along with three youths had gone to the forest to meet Burhan and some of his associates. While the meeting was on, they spotted an Army patrol which resulted in an exchange of fire,” Gillani said. “We have some indications that he (Khalid) was involved in over-ground activities, but we are investigating,” he said. On nature of injuries, Gillani said the post-mortem report was awaited.

25-year-old Khalid was pursuing Masters degree in Political Science from the Indira Gandhi National Open University when he was killed.

Muzaffar Wani, head of the Wani family had maintained that Khalid was “tortured to death”. “Khalid’s teeth were broken. There was no bullet mark on his body. His head was hit by some object”. Muzzafar Wani had also claimed that he had not applied for the relief. “I would not take money from the government for my son’s killing,” he said. “But I will think over a job for my younger son.”

Muzaffar’s youngest son is studying in class 12.

According to him Khalid, who worked at a diagnostic centre, was working at the laboratory till 12 noon after which his whereabouts were not known, “until they received the news of his killing”. The Army, however, dismissed the claim that Khalid was a civilian.