A team of J&K High Court Bar Association, comprised of the following members visited Village Doodipora, Handwara on 05-03-2006, where four innocent and school going children were killed by Army on 22-02-2006: -

(01) M.A.Qayoom President
(02) Aijaz Bedar Secretary
(03) Bashir Sidiqui Joint-Secretary
(04) Mohammad Yousuf Dar Treasurer
(05) Mohammad Amin Bhat Executive Member
(06) Shafat Ahmad Executive Member
(07) Showkat Ahmad Wani Executive Member
(08) Intikhab Yousuf Parray Executive Member
(09) Riyaz Ahmad Khan Executive Member
(10) Ghulam Nabi Bhagow Member
(11) Imtiyaz Ahmad Sofi Member

Doodipora is a small village, which is 6 kms away from Handwara Town. There is only one road, which connects the village with Handwara town. There are about 70 houses in the village wherein some 600 people reside. There are two schools in the village. One Government Middle School and the other Public Model School run by the locals. There is co-education in both the schools and whereas in Government School, there are about 100 students and in Public School, there are only 80. There is one Police Chowki in Zalchaldara, which is 4 kms away from Doodipora. The main Police Station is in Handwara, which is as said above, 6 kms away from Doodipora. Mohammad Shaban Dar is the village Numberdaar. There is, however, no Chowkidar in the village. Abdul Gani Mir, who was the Chowkidar, has died 10 months back and at present his son Ghulam Rasool Mir, is performing the functions of the village Chowkidar un-officially. There is an army picket on the eastern side of the village on the hillock, wherefrom army personnel oversee the happenings in the village round the clock. This army picket has been established some 1½ years back and at present the army personnel of 52/54 Gurkha Regiment and 33- RR are posted on the picket. During these past 1½ years, these army personnel have been visiting the village regularly. They know each household and the people living in the village. They have been calling the village people off and on for constructing their bunkers or doing any other kind of forced labour.

PLAYING FIELD: WHERE CHILDREN WERE PLAYING CRICKET

On 22-02-2006, they came down the hillock and entered the village at about 1 P.M and after surrounding the entire village, they made the people to stay inside their houses or in the mosque, where few of them had gone for mid-day prayers. There were about 20 children playing cricket on a small piece of land situated at the bank of the river called "NALLAH TALRI" or "BAAD KOUL" which passes through the southern side of the village. These children aged about 10 to 12 years except two were busy with their game, when army entered the village. These children did not know about the presence of the army in the village. They had formed two teams. One team of 6 children was headed by a young boy Ghulam Hassan Bhat and the other of equal number by Janan Ahmad. Besides, the twelve children, there were about 6 or 8 teenagers also, who too were busy in playing cricket on a side of the aforesaid piece of land. One Abdul Samad, a 22 years old boy was also sitting on a corner of the land and was enjoying the boys playing cricket.

After surrounding the village on all sides and confining the people either in their houses or else in the mosque, these army personnel rushed to the play ground, where the children were playing and started indiscriminate firing on them. First, they fired Abdul Samad and killed him on spot. Then they turned to other boys and after finding that they had run away and were trying to cross the river, they fired at Ghulam Hassan Bhat and killed him alongwith two other boys Shakir and Amir. Ghulam Hassan before being killed had taken as few boys across the river and at the time he was killed, he was trying to take both Shakir and Amir, across the river. Though Amir was alive for some time, after being hit by the bullet but he breathed his last in the Handwara Hospital, where he was taken in an injured condition.

What the villagers and the children, who survived the onslaught had to say about the incident is reproduced as under: -

LOCAL PEOPLE DEPOSING TO BAR MEMBERS

ASHFAQ AHMAD BHAT, son of Mohammad Sultan Bhat aged about 12 years stated that I am a student of 7th class. I am reading in Public School. On 22-02-2006, I was also playing cricket with other boys in the cricket ground. When army fired on us, I alongwith Danish Maqbool was taken across the river by Ghulam Hassan Bhat. While playing cricket, when we saw the army people rushing to us I told Ghulam Hassan that army is coming to us. He said that they would not do anything. But immediately thereafter, army resorted to indiscriminate firing and we rushed towards the river for saving our life. I saw myself, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Shakir and Amir being hit by the firing. Before that Ghulam Hassan had taken Danish and one across the river. After taking us across the river, Ghulam Hassan went back to bring Shakir and Amir but before he could cross the river alongwith them, all the three were fired upon by the army and were killed. After seeing all this, we went to Sheikhpora, a village in the neighbourhood of Doodipora and stayed there till we saw police coming to our village. It was police, who picked up the killed boys with the help of the villagers, whereafter there was protest.

BILAL AHMAD BHAT, son of Mohammad Sultan Bhat aged about 14 years stated that I am reading in 9th class at Wadipora. On 22-02-2006, I was also playing cricket in the field when army people came and fired on us indiscriminately. Aside us, there were 6 to 8 teenagers, who were also playing cricket. When army fired on us, we ran away and after crossing the river went to Sheikhpora. Ghulam Hassan Bhat took twice the boys across the river. First, he took 5/6 boys and then 5/6. Some boys crossed the river of their own. When Ghulam Hassan was taking Shakir and Amir across the river, the army fired him upon. All the three fell down there. Abdul Samad was a spectator and he was fired and killed before Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Shakir and Amir. Abdul Samad did not go across the river. Instead he proceeded towards the village. Army Personnel used to come to the village and to our playground every day. They would see us playing cricket but they would not do anything with us. The Captain of the Picket, who used to come to our playground regularly and would watch the boys, plays cricket. On the day of occurrence, Ghulam Hassan was captaining one team and Janan Ahmad Mir, the other. Amir and Shakir were playing with other small children. Army Personnel have never played any cricket match with us. After firing on us, the Captain (Aijaz Khan) exclaimed with joy and said that he is happy today because he has killed four boys. Before this incident, he used to come to our village regularly and beat the people. Every body was afraid of him and no one ever dared to tell him anything. After the occurrence, he has not come to our village.

MOHAMMAD AKBAR HAJAM, father of Amir stated that on the day of occurrence, he was at his home. At about 1P.M, I proceeded towards mosque for offering my prayers. When I reached near the mosque, I heard fire shots. The Captain of the army picket was firing. I did not go inside the mosque but proceeded towards the school compound. I saw the children running here and there for safety, in the cricket ground. I also saw Ghulam Hassan Bhat coming back after taking few children across the river. When he was trying to cross the river again with Amir and Shakir, the army fired him. It was a burst fire and on receiving the fire, all the three fell there. When I heard that Amir has also received a fire. I also fell down. I was unconscious. People thereafter took me to my home. I am not still in my senses. I have lost everything and I have no desire to live now. My son was reading in 3rd Primary in Middle School. What I will do to his books now.

GHULAM HASSAN WANI, father of Shakir Ahmad stated that on the day of occurrence, I was at home. At about 1 P.M, I started for mosque for offering my prayers. I saw the Captain coming and army was with him. When he saw me, he stopped. Children were at that time playing. They were making noise. I did not know that my son had also gone for playing cricket. He was 8 years of age and was reading in 2nd Primary. There is no militant in the village. When I entered the mosque, I saw Ghulam Rasool Bhat also coming to the mosque. Some people were already in the mosque. Captain was near the corner of the mosque. When we were busy with ablution in the mosque, we heard firing. We have never seen or heard about such kind of firing in the past. It was tremendous. We could sense that he has fired on the children. We wanted to come out of mosque but army people did not allow us to leave the mosque. We stayed in the mosque upto 3 or 3:30 P.M. When police came, Ghulam Nabi Mir S/o Subhan Mir announced on the loudspeaker of the mosque that children have been killed, therefore, people should reach the playground. Army had confined the people in their houses. When we came out of the mosque, we found SHO police station Handwara there. He told us do not go to the army, they will kill you also and that he will go there alone. He thereafter went to them but the army personnel fired towards his direction and he stopped. Thereafter, the police went to the play ground alongwith the people. In the playground, we saw first of all Abdul Samad. He was dead. Army personnel tried to keep a pouch on his body but police threw that pouch away. Then we saw Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Shakir was on his right arm. Amir was not there. He had perhaps been taken to hospital by some one because he was injured. Thereafter, the dead bodies of Ghulam Hassan and Shakir were lifted by the people, who protested against their killing. When the camp was established, people of the village were taken for forced labour. The army killed these boys deliberately and intentionally.

THE RIVER WERE GH.HASSANBHAT ALONG WITH OTHER TWO BOYS SHAKIR AND AMIR WERE SHORT DEAD

MOHAMMAD AHSAN MIR, father of Abdul Samad Mir stated that some one-year before army personnel took four boys from the village to the Camp. They told them to bring Abdul Samad to the Camp. When Abdul Samad went to them he was ruthlessly beaten. All the villagers thereafter went to Camp and with their intervention Abdul Samad was freed. Next day, he was again called. I took 10 to 20 people thereafter to the Camp. All of us were detained and I was told to get Abdul Samad. I then took Abdul Samad to the Camp. Those detained were then released. I was told to take Abdul Samad to C.O. Magam. Abdul Samad was detained there. I then approached Assistant Commissioner, Handwara, alongwith some people of the village. A.C. rang the C.O who told the A.C. that Abdul Samad is innocent and if his father approaches us, we will release him. When we went to the C.O. next day, he did not release Abdul Samad but handed him over to police Handwara. Police kept Abdul Samad in police station and in order to justify his arrest, they registered a case against him. Abdul Samad was released only after I obtained bail from the Court. Abdul Samad has never indulged in any criminal activity. Army killed him on 22-02-2006 when he was watching the cricket match in the Playground. Abdul Samad was married. He has left behind his widow and a six months old baby child, besides his parents and three sisters. The army people come to our village and beat the people without any rhyme or reason. If we look at them, they beat us. If we do not look at them, they still beat us. Army broke my teeth a year back. My leg was also broken. I was unable to walk for about a year. Now that wound has healed but the death of my son is big blow to me. I am 65 years old and I do not know as to who will look after me and my family now.

GHULAM RASOOL BHAT, father of Ghulam Hassan Bhat stated that on 22-02-2006, at about 1 P.M; when I was proceeding towards mosque, I saw army people near the School. They had come from the Camp. I saw 10 to 15 army personnel near the School. Captain was with them. He calls himself Aijaz khan. These people are in the Camp for the last 1½ years and they are coming to our village regularly. On 22-02-2006, these people had again come to the village. They army, people went to the playground from the backside of the mosque. Children were playing cricket in the cricket ground. I had just entered my one foot inside, that I heard firing. I saw from a window of the mosque that children were running. I wanted to come out of the mosque but army did not allow me to come out. I saw my son also running. The children were crying and asking him as to whom he had handed over them. I saw him taking some boys across the river. I saw him coming back and taking some more children across the river. He received a fire while crossing the river alongwith two boys. Abdul Samad was also in the field. He was watching the match. He also received a fire and died on spot. Amir and Shakir also received the fire and while as Shakir died on spot alongwith Ghulam Hassan, Amir died in the hospital. We were permitted to leave the mosque only when police came on spot. When we saw the killed boys, we raised hue and cry. It was also announced from the loudspeaker of the mosque that boys have been killed and people should assemble in the playground. SP Handwara also came on spot on the same day. There was lot of water in the river. Army had confined the people in their houses and the mosque only because they wanted to throw the dead bodies in the river at night but when people raised hue and cry and police also came on spot, they did not succeed in their gameplan. During last 16 years, army people have killed 21 persons of the village. Some were killed during night and some during day. All those 21 people were civilians. Two boys of the village, who had gone to Pakistan, were killed at the border.

The team members also recorded the statements of the following persons of village Doodipora: -
(01) Abdul Samad Hajam (35 years) S/O Sharaf Hajam
(02) Bashir Ahmad Mir (40 years) S/O Ramzan Mir
(03) Mohammad Shaban (28 years) S/O Mohammad Abdullah
(04) Bashir Ahmad Khan (28 years) S/O Zaman Khan
(05) Gh.Mohammad Dar (30 years) S/O Abdul Gaffar Dar
(06) Ahsan Maqbool Bhat (22 years) S/O Mohammad Maqbool
(07) Mohammad Sultan Bhat (55 years) S/O Jabbar Bhat
(08) Mohammad Amin Dar (21 years) S/O Ali Mohammad Dar
(09) Gh. Mohi-ud-din Bhat (45 years) S/O Abdul Gani
(10) Gh. Mohammad Mir (35 years) S/O Mehda Mir
(11) Akbar Bhat (45 years) S/O Mukhta Bhat
(12) Lassa Mir (60 years) S/O Jamal Mir.

Besides, reiterating what was said by the other people, these persons stated that police Handwara registered an F.I.R about the incident. Police came to the village and recorded their statements. Cricket bat and wickets were also seized. Injection given to the injured by the army was also seized. Site plan was also prepared but no one has been arrested so far. Identification parade has also not been conducted. About 40 people of the village had gone to A.C. Kupwara on 02-03-2006 for recording their statements but he refused to take their statements on the ground that Government is going to conduct a judicial probe into the matter. On the day of occurrence, the army had snatched identity cards from the residents of the village and till date those identity cards have not been returned to them. When G.C.O. alongwith I.G. Kashmir and Divisional Commissioner had come to the village, the G.C.O. confessed before a gathering of ten thousand people that army has done the gruesome act of killing the innocent people, for which he is sorry. Army has paid Rs.2.00 Lac to the next of the kin, who has been killed. The State Government has also given them a cheque of Rs.1.00 Lac each. Government has also offered employment to one member of their family. But we want that those who have committed the crime should be punished.

From the facts and circumstances explained and as also in the light of the statements made by the inhabitants of the village Doodipora, Handwara before the members of the team, it is quite evident that the aforesaid four boys were killed by the army without any rhyme or reason. In order to hide their gruesome act, they confined the entire populace of the village either in their houses or in the mosque. They wanted to throw the dead bodies of the children in the river during night but due to the intervention of the police and because of the huge protests, they could not succeed in their nefarious design, the police has no doubt registered a case against the army but till date no one stands arrested. Even the army authorities have not conducted any court-martial against the army personnel who are involved in the aforesaid barbaric act. The next of the kin of the killed boy has no doubt been given some compensation but by paying a meager amount to them as compensation, none of them is satisfied. They told the members of the team that they have no quarrel with the army but whosoever has killed their innocent children, they want that he should be punished so that they do no repeat this brutal act in future.