August 13, 2002	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Saani 3, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 12: The officers of district administration told Inquiry Officer (IO) Justice Sheikh Ahmed Farooq, hearing the Sri Saral case, that they did not order the police to open fire on the villagers and that they had asked the police to fire tear-gas shells only.

Recording their statements, the additional DC (general), Jodat Ayaz, the AC, Asadullah Faiz, and the magistrate (rural), Ajmal Bukhari, told the IO that the CDA was not properly prepared for such an action.

Jodat Ayaz said he had asked for the army’s help to control the situation, but had not asked any policeman to open fire on the villagers.

He said when he reached the spot on July 29, the villagers, who were armed with clubs, were sitting in groups.

“The decision to start the operation was taken after consultations with police officials and CDA’s enforcement authorities.”

He said: “As soon as the bulldozer moved, the villagers attacked us with clubs and pelted stones on us.” He said he and Ajmal Bukhari were the first victims of the attack and later he saw SP Taimur Ali Khan falling on the ground after sustaining a bullet injury in his leg.

Asadullah Faiz contended that when he reached the spot, the operation had already begun. He admitted that no protective measures were taken before launching the operation. He said he did not order any police personnel to open fire.

The SHO of Kohsar police station, Farhat Abbas Kazmi, admitted that after the villagers had started firing, he asked his gunman to fire.

Replying to a question, he contended that he did not seek permission of any senior police officer as “he had ordered his gunman to fire only in self-defence”.