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Rights commission ends Wandhama inquiry, but fails to fix blame

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

After a detailed inquiry into the Wandhama massacre of January 26, the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission has recommended 'adequate security' for Pandits in the valley.

The Commission submitted a five-page report to the state government recently. It, however, has not indicted anyone as Vinod Kumar Bhat, the lone survivor, was not made available to it.

"We were told by the government that he is in safe custody," JKSHRC chairman Justice (retired) G A Kuchay wrote, "Had we met the boy, we would have been able to know the killers who carried out the offence."

The report said the massacre triggered a sense of fear among the Pundits in Kashmir. "To ward off their fear, proper security arrangements will have to be made without delay," it said, "Wherever security posts already exist near such population, patrolling must be made a routine."

The Commission which comprised M L Koul and S S Wazir besides the chairman, said the Pandits in Wandhama has not demanded security "as they were enjoying the co-operation of local Muslims."

The report pointed out there was tremendous security lacuna at Wandhama and the authorities had not taken preventive measures even after many militancy-related cases in the village. After the killing of two militants in October, 1997, a constant security vigil should have been provided there.

The report quoted a police official as saying that the army personnel stationed in nearby villages for the past three years, were withdrawn in January 1997.

The JKSHRC has strongly recommended the government to take the incident as a warning and "view with concern the activities of those who do not cherish peace for the innocent population of Kashmir, particularly the Pandits."

The Commission praised the local Muslims for the help and concern they showered on the Pandits.

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