LeT commander Abu Dujana killed
STREET PROTESTS One dead as violence follows encounter; internet blocked, schools shut in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Government forces killed a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kashmir on Tuesday, triggering street protests that left one person dead and prompted the authorities to shut down mobile internet and schools.
Police said Abu Dujana’s killing was a “huge achievement” for the government that has hardened its stand against militants after a recent spurt in violent street protests and attacks on security forces.
Late Monday night, police were tipped off about an “A++ target” meeting a woman in a village in south Kashmir. Around 4am, security forces raided a house where Dujana was said to be meeting his wife.
An hours-long gunfight followed, and after Dujana refused to surrender soldiers blew up the house. Dujana’s body was charred “nearly beyond recognition”. A local 15-year-old accomplice, identified as Arif Dar, was also killed. Dar’s family told Hindustan Times he joined the militants two years ago, leaving home with only ~70 and a cricket uniform in his backpack.
Police say Dujana crossed over from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2010, and was “a master of disguise” who escaped multiple military traps and remained the longest-surviving militant from across the border. The 27-year-old carried a reward of ~15 lakh, but officials said he was lately a nuisance who harassed women.
Kashmir director general of police SP Vaid confirmed that Dujana was married but said it was not clear if the LeT commander had gone to meet her.
“He had married a local Kashmiri girl, today also he had gone to meet a girl, (but) can’t be sure if it was the same girl,” Vaid told Hindustan Times. The GOC of 15 Corps, Lt Gen. J Sandhu, told reporters that Dujana was less into militancy of late and more into “aiyashi”, an Urdu word that translates to debauchery.
Dujana’s killing came just over a year after the gunning down of top Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani.
As news of Dujana’s death spread, thousands of Kashmir residents came out onto the streets and clashed with government forces, throwing stones at them. Troops retaliated by firing tear gas, pellet guns and bullets, killing a young man in Hakripora village near Bandipora, around 30 km from state capital Srinagar, witnesses and police said. Witnesses alleged police fired indiscriminately to break up a protest about an hour from the encounter site. A woman nurse was wounded inside a hospital in Pulwama town, south of Srinagar, one of several people injured by bullets, they said.
Wani’s killing in July last year sparked months-long street protests by stone-pelting civilians across Kashmir.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The ruling CPI(M) and RSS-BJP on Tuesday held another round of talks to end the spiralling cycle of violence triggered by the murder of a RSS leader in the state capital three days ago.
Though the CPI(M) has denied any role in the murder, all those arrested in the case are either its party workers or supporters. The FIR also stated that it was a political killing triggered by the regional political rivalry.
RSS leader E Rajesh (34) was waylaid and attacked by a group of CPI(M) workers when he was returning home after work. He received more than 52 stab wounds and later succumbed to injuries.
Twelve persons have been arrested in connection with the murder so far — eight for their direct involvement and four others for conspiracy and harbouring the accused. The first accused Manikuttan is a history-sheeter involved in a dozen criminal cases and four others are active members of the party youth wing, DYFI.
“Both parties agreed to take the peace talks to the next round. The leadership will intervene if anything happens and ensure that it won’t escalate,” said CP(M) district secretary A Nagappan after the peace meeting. This is the second round of meeting.
Speculation is rife that the CM may dump his home portfolio. The party’s central leadership is also upset with the CM’s “rude behaviour” towards the media before the peace meeting started on Monday.
“Get out, who invited you here,” he shouted at newsmen. He lost his cool when he saw lens men taking the visuals of the meet. Later his office explained that he only asked newsmen to leave the venue before the meeting started.
A day after the murder, Governor Justice Sathasivam had summoned CM Vijayan and the state police chief expressing serious concern over deteriorating law and order situation.