Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 30: Army today opened fire killing one person during protests over the shooting of a youth in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district in a security force operation leading to protests in which a senior police officer was among around a dozen persons injured.
Police have registered a case in the incident and both Army and police are investigating into the circumstances in which the two men were killed in village Markandal of Sumbal area in Bandipora district. Police sources said that a case (under FIR 115/2013 302 RPC) was registered against those responsible for killing. “The FIR says when the youth was killed, Army was on patrolling”, sources added. ”Another case (FIR 116/2013 under Section 307 RPC) was also registered in the Police Station Sumbal”, sources said.
An official spokesman said here that the State Government today registered an FIR in Sumbal Police Station against those responsible for the killing of civilians. “Terming the incident as most unfortunate and unacceptable, the State Government expressed its deep sense of anguish and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families”, the statement adds.
The spokesman said that Director General Police, Ashok Prasad has been asked to expedite the investigations. “State Government has reaffirmed its stand of zero tolerance against innocent killings and has conveyed this to the security forces emphasising upon them to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) under all circumstances”, the spokesman added.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Army’s counter insurgency Victor Force, Major General R R Nimbhorkar in a hurriedly arranged press conference while sharing details with the media said that the incident of killing of two men in North Kashmir’s Markundal village happened during a joint operation by police and Army.
The GOC said that there was an input about the presence of militants in the area and the incident happened at around 3 a.m. “Two youth of Markandal village lost their lives. We deeply mourn their demise, loss of life. And through you, I want to convey deep condolences to the bereaved families”, he said.
Major General Nimbhorkar assured that Army is conducting investigation into the incident and will take appropriate action if something wrong has happened. “..we are investigating the details of the incident and I can assure you if any wrong doing emerges appropriate action will be taken. You have already reported there are lot of protests and that is why I said we will carry out detailed investigations, therefore as of now I am not able to able to comment as what exactly happened. I will assure you if something wrong has happened we will take appropriate action”, he added.
A Defence spokesman said here that on the basis of a specific intelligence about the presence of militants in the Markandal area of Sumbal in Bandipura District, a joint operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police late last night.
“On establishment of the cordon, a burst of fire was heard from the place beyond the cordon area. Hearing about a youth being injured in the fire, an ambulance with doctor and his team was brought in to attend to the injured. However, the effort was interrupted by the mob and had to be aborted. Later it was learnt that the youth had succumbed to his injuries”, the statement added.
The statement said that observing the crowd building up in the hours of darkness, to avoid any collateral damage, the operation was called off and the Army troops began to pull out of the area. “Some time later, at 5.15 a.m. when the Army Ambulance, earlier brought in to attend to the youth, was being driven out of the area, it was attacked by a violent mob. The mob tried to set the Ambulance on fire and assault the doctor and the medical team. While disengaging, the troops fired in self defence, resulting into injury to another youth who later succumbed to the injuries”, the spokesman added.
Army is conducting the investigations into the circumstances under with the incident took place. “Notwithstanding the circumstances, the incident is being investigated and wrong doings, if any, will be dealt with severely. Army condoles the unfortunate loss of lives and conveys the condolences to the bereaved families”, the statement added.
While sharing details of the incident with the media an uncle of the 17-year-old man, Irfan Nabi Ganie son of Ghulam Nabi, said they noticed two private vehicles outside their home late last night.
“We went outside at around 3 a.m. following rumours that thieves were moving around in the village. We went out to investigate, thinking someone was trying to steal their cattle, said Nazir Ahmad, uncle of Irfan.
“Suddenly the soldiers fired a burst of bullets at us. My nephew, Ifran, was hit in his head and he died on the spot,” Nazir alleged. “They did not even allow us to take him to the hospital”, he said.
“Army remained stationed for more than an hour before pulling up at around 4:30 a.m.”, Nazir said.
Sources said that the killing led to protests during which Army fired at the protesters killing another person Tariq Ahmad Lehrwal, 27 son of Ghulam Mohidin of Kundbal Mansbal and injuring two others. The injured have been identified as Mohammad Maqbool Sofi of Sempora Sopore and Farooq Ahmad Malla.
Sources said that the protesters took both the bodies along and started a march towards office of the Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora. However, as the protesters were marching ahead, officers of district administration and police intercepted them and promised action against the guilty.
Clashes between youths and police broke out at several places including Nadi Khai, Sumbal, Markandal, Kundbal and its adjoining areas. Police fired several tear smoke shells at Markandal, Kundbal and Naidkhai. At least 12 persons were injured in the clashes including SSP Bandipora, Bashir Ahmad Khan.
The two men were later laid buried in their ancestral graveyards in Markandal, Sumbal and Kundbal, Manasbal in Ganderbal. Hundreds of people took part in their last rites.
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani also addressed the funeral processions over cellphone.
The tension prevailed in the Bandipora area of North Kashmir and security forces have been deployed in full strength to prevent any further clashes.
Hurriyat Conference (G), Hurriyat Conference (M), JKLF and Democratic Freedom Party have called for a complete shutdown on July 1 against the killings.
Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) spokesperson said that MLA Langate and President AIP Engineer Rashid was arrested at Watlab, Sopore by the police while he was on his way to attend the funeral of the two men. He described the arrest of Rashid as illegal and undemocratic.
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