Srinagar, Feb 2: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani Saturday paid glowing tribute to advocate Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Rigoo on his 15th martyrdom anniversary. He demanded punishment to the armed forces allegedly involved in his killing.
 “Late Rigoo, a lawyer by profession, was highly dedicated and committed to the ongoing freedom struggle,” Geelani said in a statement today from New Delhi. He demanded reopening of the case for fresh investigation.
 “A joint team of 17 Jat, SOG and Papa Kashtwari arrested advocate Rigoo on February 1, 1998 and killed him in custody. On February 3,   the family members recovered his body from roadside which was axed by killers into several pieces,” Geelani alleged. He alleged that “Major S M Ponia, SP Tahir Kaunsar and SHO Mushtaq Sadiq were involved in the killing but the establishment did not initiate any action against these officials. Instead, they were given awards and elevated to higher positions. The authorities have ever since been shielding the killers.”
 Geelani alleged that the ex-National Conference MLA Mushtaq Ahmad Kuchay “played a key role in saving these killers.”
 “Though the family of slain advocate filed a case in Supreme Court, it was dismissed with the direction that in a disturbed area such cases are not listed for follow up or perusal,” said Geelani.
 Stressing for the perusal of the case, Geelani said, “In civilized societies legal institutions take suo moto action in such cases to provide justice.”
 Geelani said the case regarding the assassination of advocate Rigoo has been listed at International Court of Justice, Geneva, and the hearing is expected this year.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Feb 2013 18:30:00 GMT
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