Uproar In J&K Assembly Over Ganderbal Encounter; Speaker Says Time-Bound Probe Ordered By LG

JAMMU, Apr 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproar on the final day of the Budget Session on Saturday, as members of the National Conference, Congress and PDP demanded a judicial probe into the recent Ganderbal encounter, with the Speaker informing the House that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has already ordered a time-bound magisterial inquiry.

The Army has claimed that the man killed in the March 31 encounter in Arhama forests, identified as Ganderbal resident Rashid Ahmad Mughal, was a terrorist. However, his family denied the claim, alleging the encounter was fake and demanding the return of his body for proper burial.

As the House convened, legislators from treasury and opposition benches — except the BJP — condemned the killing and sought a statement from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.

Raising the issue, National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul called for a strong message against the killing of an “innocent” and stressed the need to fix accountability. His party colleague and former judge Hasnain Masoodi said the right to a dignified burial is a fundamental and constitutionally recognised right that must be upheld.

“Any restriction on this right undermines justice and democratic values,” Masoodi said, supporting the family’s demand for the return of the body. Mughal was buried by police in Kupwara district as per standard procedure followed for militants killed in encounters.

Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat said an administrative inquiry would not suffice, asserting that only a judicial probe could ensure fairness and credibility in such a serious matter.

“Inquiries at the administrative level tend to balance competing interests, which can affect accountability. What is required is a judicial inquiry,” he said, calling for transparency and timely justice.

National Conference legislator Mir Saifullah termed the incident “deeply concerning” and backed the demand for a judicial probe to identify those responsible.

Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone, who staged a protest before entering the House, carried a placard seeking justice for the deceased and demanded a result-oriented probe.

BJP’s R S Pathania questioned the discussion of a law-and-order issue in the Assembly, noting that his own similar questions had earlier been disallowed.

Responding to the concerns, the Speaker reiterated that the Lieutenant Governor has ordered a magisterial probe and sought a report within seven days. (Agencies)