Srinagar, April 3 Political parties in Kashmir on Friday welcomed the magisterial investigation into the Ganderbal encounter, and expressed hope that a transparent inquiry will be conducted into the incident and justice will prevail.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday ordered a magisterial probe into the encounter in Ganderbal district in which one alleged terrorist was killed by security forces.
The ruling National Conference said the party commends the prompt action taken by L-G Sinha, ordering a time-bound inquiry following concerns raised by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the family of the deceased, who have disputed the militant label and sought a thorough investigation.
In a statement, the party's state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said the NC welcomes this magisterial probe as a positive and necessary step towards establishing the facts and delivering justice.
"The inquiry must be time-bound, impartial, and its findings made public at the earliest," he said.
The party reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
People's Conference chief Sajad Lone also welcomed the magisterial inquiry.
"The ordering of a Magisterial enquiry by @OfficeOfLGJandK into the allegations made by the family of the person who was killed in an encounter in Ganderbal, is a welcome step," Lone, who is also the MLA from Handwara, said in a post on X.
He expressed hope that a transparent inquiry would be conducted and justice would prevail.
People's Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti, while appreciating the L-G's "swift response", said a thorough investigation would fix accountability and restore people's confidence.
"Relieved and appreciate L-G's swift response in ordering an enquiry after the unfortunate, tragic killing of an innocent man from Ganderbal. Evidence so far indicates his innocence, and this is a 'fake encounter'. A thorough investigation points to accountability along with restoring people's confidence," Mufti said on X.