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Kashmir police on killing charges Kashmir police on killing charges
(about 18 hours later)
Seven policeman in Indian-administered Kashmir have been charged with murdering a man and trying to cover it up by saying he was a militant.Seven policeman in Indian-administered Kashmir have been charged with murdering a man and trying to cover it up by saying he was a militant.
They are charged with murdering a civilian and criminal conspiracy.They are charged with murdering a civilian and criminal conspiracy.
Correspondents say the charges in Srinagar are highly unusual, and are the first to be brought in a series of alleged killings in faked gun battles.Correspondents say the charges in Srinagar are highly unusual, and are the first to be brought in a series of alleged killings in faked gun battles.
Human rights groups say thousands of people have disappeared during 18 years of insurgency against Indian rule.Human rights groups say thousands of people have disappeared during 18 years of insurgency against Indian rule.
Cold bloodCold blood
"The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy, abduction, murder and destruction of evidence," said Farooq Ahmed, the senior police officer heading the investigation into the killings."The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy, abduction, murder and destruction of evidence," said Farooq Ahmed, the senior police officer heading the investigation into the killings.
The accused arrived at the court by busThe accused arrived at the court by bus
The victim was Abdul Rehman Paddar, a 35-year-old carpenter, who was shot dead in cold blood in December.The victim was Abdul Rehman Paddar, a 35-year-old carpenter, who was shot dead in cold blood in December.
It is alleged the officers - including a senior superintendent of police and a deputy superintendent of police - picked up Mr Paddar in Srinagar then staged a gun battle, or so-called "fake encounter".It is alleged the officers - including a senior superintendent of police and a deputy superintendent of police - picked up Mr Paddar in Srinagar then staged a gun battle, or so-called "fake encounter".
The officers are suspected of falsely claiming that the man they had killed was a Pakistani militant, which made them eligible to receive handsome cash rewards from the government.The officers are suspected of falsely claiming that the man they had killed was a Pakistani militant, which made them eligible to receive handsome cash rewards from the government.
It is the first time since the Kashmir insurgency began 18 years ago that such senior officials have faced such serious charges.It is the first time since the Kashmir insurgency began 18 years ago that such senior officials have faced such serious charges.
The crime was only uncovered after the body was exhumed four weeks ago and DNA tests identified it to be that of Mr Paddar.The crime was only uncovered after the body was exhumed four weeks ago and DNA tests identified it to be that of Mr Paddar.
Rare prosecutionsRare prosecutions
"The killers of my husband should be hanged," Mr Paddar's wife, Muneera, said after hearing the seven accused would be charged with a capital offence."The killers of my husband should be hanged," Mr Paddar's wife, Muneera, said after hearing the seven accused would be charged with a capital offence.
She was speaking from the Srinagar court where the charges were announced.She was speaking from the Srinagar court where the charges were announced.
There have been frequent protests against 'fake encounters'There have been frequent protests against 'fake encounters'
Investigators are looking into four other similar cases of civilian disappearances, and the Indian army is conducting its own inquiries because of allegations soldiers were also involved in the killings.Investigators are looking into four other similar cases of civilian disappearances, and the Indian army is conducting its own inquiries because of allegations soldiers were also involved in the killings.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticus in Delhi says that in almost two decades of conflict in Kashmir several thousand civilians have vanished. The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says that in almost two decades of conflict in Kashmir several thousand civilians have vanished.
Our correspondent says that many disappeared after being arrested by security forces, but prosecutions are extremely rare.Our correspondent says that many disappeared after being arrested by security forces, but prosecutions are extremely rare.
Families of thousands of people who have disappeared in Kashmir during the insurgency have long demanded that their cases be investigated so that missing people can formally be declared dead.Families of thousands of people who have disappeared in Kashmir during the insurgency have long demanded that their cases be investigated so that missing people can formally be declared dead.
Last month, five bodies, including that of Mr Paddar, were exhumed in connection with investigations into charges of staged gun battles.Last month, five bodies, including that of Mr Paddar, were exhumed in connection with investigations into charges of staged gun battles.
The killings triggered violent protests across Kashmir.The killings triggered violent protests across Kashmir.