Bhaderwah killing: SIT visits crime scene, curfew continues

JAMMU : A five member special investigation team (SIT) was constituted to probe the death of a 40-year-old man who was killed in a firing incident at Bhaderwah town of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, police said on Saturday.

The firing incident near Nalthi bridge in Bhaderwah at 2 am on Thursday had left Nayeem Ahmed Shah, resident of Qilla Mohalla, dead and another injured.

The death triggered violent protests in the area, forcing authorities to impose a curfew, which continued for the third consecutive day in the communally-sensitive town.

Doda district Superintendent of police (SSP) Shabir Malik informed that the SIT will be headed by Bhaderwah superintendent of police Raj Singh Gouria.

Gouria, along with other members of the SIT, and a team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the scene of the incident at Nalthi village on Saturday and collected fresh evidence.

“We are at the scene as part of the investigation after the setting up of the SIT although the probe of the case has already started soon after the incident,” Malik told reporters.

A 12-bore gun, which is believed to have been used in the killing, was seized and sent to FSL Jammu for examination, Malik said. Meanwhile, Doda district magistrate DS Dattatray said a magisterial probe has been ordered into the killing and subsequent stone-pelting. Thathri SDM Anwar Bandey was assigned the probe and directed to submit a report within a week.

Eight suspects were rounded up on Thursday and are being questioned, he said, adding that no formal arrest have been made in connection with the case as yet.

A number of non-locals were found involved in stone-pelting following the incident and three of them were arrested so far.

“All those involved in violent protests are being identified. More arrests are expected in coming days,” said Doda district magistrate DS Dattatray, adding that police have been directed to collect details of non-locals including students, labourers, servants and businessmen who are living as tenants to keep a watch on their activities.

Meanwhile, SSP Malik said, “There was no relaxation in curfew on Saturday as well. The situation is under control and we will see if the curfew can be relaxed on Sunday. There is still some anger simmering among the people”.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while. The army remains on stand-by while police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength in the town.

A 12-bore gun, which is believed to have been used in the killing, was seized and sent to FSL Jammu for examination SHABIR MALIK, Doda Superintendent of police