Leh protest (file photo)
SRINAGAR: Leh Apex Body (LAB) urged Saturday a judicial probe panel to obtain medico-legal case (MLC) reports of all civilians injured in alleged firing by security forces on Sept 24 during protests in Leh for Sixth Schedule status and statehood.LAB spearheaded the protests as the largest political and religious group in the Union territory of Ladakh. It made the demands in a representation to the probe commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge BS Chauhan, a day after the panel extended the deadline for such submissions and evidence to Dec 8.LAB member and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is among the over 70 people arrested over the violence that left four people dead and over 80 injured. He has been charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).In its submission, LAB urged the commission to accord post-mortems reports of deceased civilians the highest importance in its inquiry.“All CCTV full footage recorded by Ladakh Police on Sep 24 between 10:00am and 6:30pm must be collected, preserved, analysed and thoroughly examined by the commission. In particular, footage from a 360-degree CCTV camera installed slightly outside NDS Memorial Park (near the site of the violence) must be retrieved and scrupulously scrutinised,” states the representation submitted by LAB convenor Gelek Phunchok and coordinator Tsering Stanzin. LAB has expressed skepticism over some cops being wheeled into hospital several days later. “Approximately 20 police personnel were brought to SNM Hospital several days after Sept 24, claiming injuries. The timing, intention and motive behind presenting these personnel for medical examination long after the incident must be thoroughly investigated to rule out any attempt to fabricate or exaggerate counter-claims of injury,” LAB said.Complete and accurate counts of bullets and ammunition, including pellets and tear-gas shells, fired by police and CRPF personnel that day must be ascertained from official records and made public before the inquiry commission, LAB said.LAB has stressed that its points are “integral and non-negotiable components of fair and credible inquiry”. “Any omission or oversight in these matters would seriously undermine public faith in the judicial system.”Union home ministry (MHA) had announced the commission after demands from LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), another key Ladakh organisation. Both had made the panel’s formation a precondition for resuming dialogues with the Centre on autonomy.
