Youth’s killing sparks protests at Handwara
The killing of a student in an alleged fake encounter here in Handwara sparked violent protest while protesters torched an official vehicle of the district administration Kupwara.
Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Tarathpora Handwara who according to his family had gone missing was killed in an alleged fake encounter in Hafrada forests of Handwara.
His killing sparked anti-India protests in Handwara while people staged a massive protest demanding a registration of FIR against the army troops involved in the incident.
Protesters according to eyewitnesses torched an official vehicle besides damaging two other vehicles of deputy commissioner Kupwara’s escort.
Reports said that police fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the agitated people. They said that a number of protesters suffered injuries during clashes with government forces.
Locals said that police used tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters. During the clashes three persons suffered pellet injuries including a girl, they said.
To pacify the protesters, government issued ‘No Involvement Certificate’ in favour of slain youth. “It is certified that Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Payeen was not involved in any kind of subversive/criminal activities as per the available records of this Police Station,” the NOC issued by SHO Police Station Vilgam and signed by District Magistrate Kupwara reads.
Soon after the district administration assured the protesting civilians that an FIR under section 302 CrPc would be filed against army, locals offered the funeral prayers of the slain and agreed to bury him.
Reports said that administration after an hour long meeting with respectable citizens agreed to file an FIR against army under section 302 CrPc.
Massive protests were held in Handwara area of north Kashmir against the killing of a local youth allegedly in a fake encounter by army.
Government forces on Tuesday had claimed that they killed a militant during a gun battle in Hafrada forests in Handwara. However, the family of the youth claimed that the slain youth is their missing son, identified as Shahid Ahmad Mir of Daril Tarathpora Handwara.
“We are ascertained about the troops involved in the incident, once that is established an FIR will be lodged against them,” DC, Kupwara Khalid Jehanger said.
Local sources, privy to the meeting between the district administration and the elders of the locality said that the administration after an hour long meeting has agreed to file an FIR against army under section 302 CrPc.
“The DC handed over a copy of No Involvement Certificate to the family. The NOC mentions that the slain was a civilian and had no links whatsoever with militancy,” locals said.
Pertinently, a complete shutdown was observed in Handwara and Kupwara area of north Kashmir against the killing.
KV Correspondent
