Jan 2018 witnessed killing of three students, another civilian
Kulgam/Shopian: The southern districts of the Valley witnessed four civilian killings in just 29 days of the New Year (2018), shattering the dreams of four families comprising over 20 members-for a life time.
Three students among four civilians were killed since the inception of New Year (2018). The first civilian killing in Southern districts was witnessed on Jan 09 in Kulgam district.
On this day, a BSc student identified as Khalid Ahmad Dar, son of Abdul Salam Dar, resident of Redwani Payeen was killed in Khudwani area during the clashes that erupted following the killing of a local militant, Farhan Ahmed Khanday in an encounter at Larno village of Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
However, his father, Abdul Salam Dar, said that there was no demonstration in the area. “The protest started in the area following the killing of my son. Yes my son was targeted otherwise he would not have received bullet in his chest,” he had said, adding that his son never participated in anti-government protests and was not having any links with militant outfits.
His brother, Tariq Ahmed Dar said Khalid was very good in his studies from the very beginning and he secured 376 marks out of 500 (Distinction 75.2%) in 10th, 304 out of 500 in 12th (60.4%) and also 70 % marks in first four semesters of BSc, which he was pursuing from Government Boys Degree College Khanabal Anantnag.
Following his killing, on the directions of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Talat Parvaiz appointed Additional Deputy Commissioner Kulgam as the inquiry officer to ascertain the facts and submit report within 15 days over the incident.
ADDC Kulgam, Nazir Khawja said that preliminary investigation has been completed in the case, however, he needs more time to complete the report after which it will be submitted to the higher authorities.
Barely, 14 days after his killing, another youth was killed in Shopian village on Jan 24 in which a family lost their sole bread earner.
A teenage boy, Shakir from Kalampora Shopian was killed after forces allegedly opened fire targeting him when he was playing with his friends.
The family of Shakir said that government forces fired upon their son when he was playing in a playground.
Shakir was a tractor driver and the sole bread earner for his family who had left his studies in class 9th due to some family issues.
His father Mohammad Yousuf Mir said that Shakir was driving a tractor of a local farmer and after coming back from work, he went to play cricket with his friends in a nearby playground.
“However, as they were busy in playing cricket, gunfight broke out in nearby village and after hearing gunshots he tried to move towards home however, forces shot him on his forehead and he died on spot,” he said, adding that forces snatched his everything as the family lost the sole source of income due to his death.
Pertinently, two local militants were killed during the encounter in the area during which Shakir was killed.
Moreover, two more students were killed by the forces during the clashes in Ganawpora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
The two civilians were identified as Javid Ahmad of Balpora and Suhail Javid of Ganowpora.
Suhail’s father said that his son was at home when the firing took place. “As soon as firing stopped, my son went outside to see the situation but unfortunately, he was targeted,” he said, adding that he was rushed to the Rajpora hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Locals said that Suhail was very intelligent boy and he used to pray five times Salaat.
His father said that Suhail, a 12th class non-medical student was planning for admission in engineering college outside Kashmir, but Allah had already chosen his fate.
“No one has been given justice so far how I will get justice,” he added, saying that he has no hope on probe initiated by the government over his killing.
Another youth Javid Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat, resident of Balpora had gone to Ganapora to refill a gas cylinder however, he was killed there, family said.
Abdul Rashid, father of Javid said that “I asked Javid to bring an LPG cylinder from Ganapora however, after half an hour I received a call from a person who informed me that Javid has received bullet injury and has been shifted to district hospital Pulwama.”
“As soon as I reached Pulwama hospital, doctors had already declared Javid as brought dead,” he added.
He further said that the probe initiated by the government is mere an eye-wash. “We know that nothing will happen through this probe,” he said.
Mushtaq Ahmad, neighbor of slain Javid said that he was student of B.A first year at Government Degree College Shopian and was a very efficient student.
Notably, one dozen youth also sustained injuries during the incident.
Police as per the reports have registered a case in this regard while the government has also ordered probe into the killing, directing the DC Shopian to submit a report within 15 days.
Today, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in the assembly said the probe into the killing of Shopian killing will be taken to its logical conclusion.
KV Correspondent
