Srinagar: The one-man Commission probing killing of four persons in CRPF firing in Shopian district last year Thursday recorded the statement of a witness  produced by the paramilitary force before it.
Retired Justice M.L.Koul said that other witnesses have been asked to record their statements on March 15.
Justice Koul said that the Commission also directed the counsel for CRPF to ascertain and collect the FIRs and PSA reports from the District Police regarding the involvement or credentials of all the deceased youth killed in CRPF firing. “The said counsel for CRPF shall see that such documents are made available within ten days.
Four persons were killed at Gagran in Shopian district, 55 kms from here, on September 7 on the day when renowned orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta performed at famed Shalimar gardens here.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah ordered a judicial probe into the killings after the CRPF claim — that all the deceased were militants — was contested by local residents of Shopian.
While police admitted there was no record of involvement in militancy for the three deceased local youth, it maintained the fourth youth was a Pakistani militant.
The commission has been appointed to find out the circumstances leading to the killing of four youth, ascertain the identity of the deceased and if they had any involvement in militancy.
The commission has also been asked to fix responsibility for any act of misuse of authority by the CRPF personnel.

KR Desk