Protests rock Handwara after death of civilian
SRINAGAR : Clashes broke out in north Kashmir’s Handwara on Wednesday night after it was confirmed that the person killed in an encounter in the area on Tuesday was a civilian and not a militant.
The deceased has been identified as Shah id Bash ir Mir of Daril Tarathpora area of Handwara. The 21-year-old was reportedly a student of the Government Degree College, Handwara and according to the police, was missing since August 21.
Speaking to HT, director general of police (DGP) SP Vaid said, “Yes, he (the man killed) was a civilian. According to his family, he was missing for a few days. How he was present in the jungle where the gun battle was on remains to be investigated. We are looking into the matter.”
Police officers in Handwara told HT that protests were going on in the area since last night and expressed apprehensions that them an might have been caught in crossfire.
Sources said two vehicles were torched by protesters, but police did not officially confirm the act. Hundreds of mourners attended Mir’s funeral.
“After the burial, protests ended,” a police official said.
On Tuesday, army had claimed that a militant was killed in a gun fight. A Srinagar-based army spokesperson on Thursday said ,“Army launched an operation in the Ha ph ruda forest on the intervening night of August 21-22. The army column was fired upon by the terrorists, which was retaliated. During search operation, the body of an individual was recovered and handed over to the police.” Headded further investigations into the matter were on.
People close to the Mir family have alleged that it was a staged encounter. They said on Monday Shahid had left home at around 5pm but did not return home. After searches failed to locate him, the family lodged a missing report. On Wednesday evening, the family was called to a nearby army camp to identify a body — which they realised was that of their eldest son. The family has vehemently denied that Shahid had any links to militants.
In a press statement, released on Thursday, moder ate Hurriy at chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed“deep grief an danger” at the killing of Mir.The Mirwaiz asked, “How long will we carry the dead bodies of our youth killed with impunity by our oppressors, while the world looks the other way and does not raise its voice against such brutality?”