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Youth Killed By Army Triggers Protests in Kashmir, Probe Ordered

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Feb 8: The massive protests broke out in North Kashmir on Saturday after Indian army men shot dead a 21-year-old youth during an ambush in the night. The administration has ordered a magisterial probe while police has registered a case against the army.

The residents of Chogal Handwara, some 80 kms North of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir accused Army's 4 Para soldiers of killing 21 year old youth Manzoor Ahmad after allegedly dragging him from his residence.

"After finishing dinner along with other family members on Friday night, Manzoor went to his bedroom to sleep. In the morning, some locals approached me and informed that Manzoor's body was lying in a nearby nallah," Manzoor's father Ghulam Ahmad Magray said.

He said he was shocked to hear the news as Manzoor had went to his room right in front of his eyes. "After enquiring, we learnt that 4-para soldiers had forcefully taken him out of the room from the rare window. He was tortured by the troopers and later shot dead," alleged Magray.

Thousands of people took to roads and gathered at Manzoor's residence. Chanting pro-freedom, pro-Islamic and anti-India slogans, the people carried the body of the deceased teenagers in a procession. They kept the body on a main road and halted all kinds of vehicular traffic. People refused to bury the body until Indian soldiers involved in killing of youth would be arrested. Top police and civil officials visited the spot and assured the processionists that a case would be registered against the army and a probe initiated. After their assurances, people dispersed off peacefully.

Later, thousands of people attended his funeral prayers amidst chanting of pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Meanwhile, the administration has ordered a magisterial probe and appointed a senior official as inquiry officer. The inquiry officer has been asked to submit the report within a month.

Police has registered a case under FIR No 26/2011 against the army and initiated a probe.

In a related development, Indian army spokesman in Srinagar, Lt Col J S Brar while giving details of the incident said based on specific intelligence on movement of militants, the Army laid an ambush on the night of February 4-5 to trap the militants. "At approximately 2230 hours, the troops detected suspicious movement of two persons moving towards the ambush.

In accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure, the troops challenged the individuals to surrender. Both the individuals paid no heed to the challenge by the troops and attempted to run away in the cover of darkness, on which the troops opened killing Manzoor while the other unidentified person escaped," he said.

"We deeply and sincerely express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on this incident," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief minister Omar Abdullah visited North Kashmir and met the family members of the deceased youth.

He stayed with the bereaved family for quite some time, expressed his deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, showed sympathy and solidarity with the family.

"I am here to share your grief and be with you at this movement of great tragedy", he told the bereaved family while consoling them and conveying his heartfelt condolence.

Omar described the incident most unfortunate and said that he has given categoric directions to the Army, Security Forces and Police in the Unified Headquarter Meetings to apply highest degree of caution and restraint and stick to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to avoid any killings of civilian under all circumstances. "I repeat this once again", he said and emphasized the need for such cautions while laying ambush for militants.

He assured the bereaved family of proper probe into the incident.

Omar prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul and patience to the family who has lost their dear one.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.