Jammu, Apr 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed uproar on Saturday, the final day of the Budget Session, as members across parties—barring the BJP—condemned the killing of a man in a recent encounter in Ganderbal and pressed for accountability, with some legislators demanding a judicial probe.
The Army has maintained that the man killed in the March 31 encounter in the Arhama forests, identified as Rashid Ahmad Mughal of Ganderbal, was a terrorist. However, his family has disputed the claim, alleging he had no links to militancy and terming the encounter as staged. They have also demanded that his body be returned for proper burial.
As the House assembled, legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised the issue, seeking clarity and accountability. Several members criticised the handling of the incident, while some specifically called for a judicial inquiry, arguing that a magisterial probe may not be sufficient in a matter of such gravity.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday ordered a time-bound magisterial inquiry into the encounter, directing that a report be submitted within seven days.
Raising the issue in the House, NC MLA Mubarak Gul called for a strong message against the killing of an “innocent” and emphasised the need to fix responsibility. His party colleague and former judge Hasnain Masoodi highlighted that the right to a dignified burial is a fundamental and constitutionally recognised right, asserting that denying it would undermine principles of justice and transparency.
Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat said only a judicial probe could ensure fairness and credibility, maintaining that administrative inquiries often fall short in establishing accountability. NC MLA Mir Saifullah also supported the demand for a judicial inquiry, describing the incident as deeply concerning.
Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone, who staged a protest before entering the House, demanded that the family be heard and called for a result-oriented probe to bring out the truth.
BJP MLA R S Pathania, however, questioned the discussion of what he termed a law-and-order matter in the Assembly, noting that similar issues raised by him earlier had not been allowed. Responding to the concerns, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather informed the House that a magisterial inquiry had already been ordered and assured members that the findings would be shared.
The exchange led to repeated disruptions before the House resumed normal proceedings.
