Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, April 4 

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Saturday as lawmakers from multiple parties demanded a judicial inquiry into a recent encounter in Ganderbal district that left one man dead.

Members of the ruling National Conference, Congress, and the People’s Democratic Party pressed for a probe into the March 31 incident in the Arhama forests, where the Army said it killed a militant identified as Rashid Ahmad Mughal.

The man’s family has denied any militant links, alleging the encounter was staged and demanding the return of his body for burial.

As the House convened on the final day of the budget session, legislators from both treasury and opposition benches – except those from the Bharatiya Janata Party – condemned the killing and sought a statement from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.

Rather told the House that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the encounter and directed officials to submit a report within seven days.

Raising the issue, National Conference lawmaker Mubarak Gul called for accountability, describing the victim as innocent and urging the Assembly to send a strong message.

His colleague Hasnain Masoodi said the right to a dignified burial is constitutionally protected and should be upheld, backing the family’s demand for the body to be returned.

Police said Mughal was buried in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district in accordance with standard procedures followed for militants killed in encounters.

Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat argued that an administrative probe would be inadequate, calling instead for a judicial inquiry to ensure transparency and credibility.

National Conference MLA Mir Saifullah described the incident as deeply concerning and supported calls for a judicial probe.

Congress leader Irfan Hafiz Lone also protested over the issue and demanded justice for the family, urging a conclusive investigation.

Meanwhile, BJP legislator R S Pathania questioned the discussion, saying law-and-order matters were not typically taken up in the Assembly and noting that similar queries raised by him had previously been disallowed.