The Hindu : National : Handwara incident: Army suspends Major

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 13, 2004

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National

Handwara incident: Army suspends Major

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, NOV. 12 . The Army has suspended Maj. Rehman Hussain of 30 Rashtriya Rifles in connection with the rape of a 35-year-old woman and her daughter in Badre Payeen village near Handwara last week.

A defence spokesman said that orders to this effect were passed by the Chief Of Army Staff, Gen. N.C. Vij. "The Major has been suspended and put under close arrest for violating laid down procedures with regard to execution of operation," he said.

The spokesman said: "The high level court of inquiry, constituted by the Army to inquire into the allegation of the rape against the Major is progressing expeditiously. It has already examined Maj. Hussain and several other key witnesses. Other soldiers and witnesses are being examined. The court is presided over by Col. S.K. Nandal and has Firdous Iqbal, Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police, Handwara, as the senior member."

The spokesman further said that the DNA samples of those involved in the incident had already been dispatched for forensic examination. "The samples were obtained and sealed in the presence of a team of civilian forensic officials, civilian medical authorities, police officers and the Additional DC, Kupwara (Executive Magistrate). They have been dispatched by the forensic experts for comparison and opinion," he said.

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