Youth killed as CRPF opens fire on procession marching towards Pandit colony in Pulwama

By admin On Aug 27, 2016

Over 100 demonstrations, clashes across Valley as death toll rises to 69 on 49th day of turbulence

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
SRINAGAR: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday opened fire which left a 19-year-old student dead and 12 more demonstrators injured when a procession in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district was marching towards a colony of the Kashmiri Pandits at Hall—on Srinagar-Shopian Road.
Informed sources told STATE TIMES that after conclusion of Friday afternoon prayers, a procession of the residents of Nikus and adjoining villages began marching from Jamia Masjid of Nikus towards Hall. After treading a distance of one mile, the peaceful procession was signalled to stop by CRPF 183 Bn at its barrier near the old deserted colony of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Sources said the CRPF officials feared an attack on the new settlement of the Kashmiri Pandits where the Government has accommodated around 200 migrant families who have secured jobs with mandatory posting in Kashmir under Prime Minister’s special package.
According to reports, most of the inhabitants of the protected settlement have lately returned to Jammu and other places and they have been demanding posting in Jammu division, contrary to their contractual obligation.
A fierce clash ensued between the demonstrators and CRPF. Amid intense stone pelting from the unruly crowd, CRPF opened fire from AK-47 rifles and pump action guns. A 19-year-old student, Shakeel Ahmad Ganai, son of Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, resident of Chandpora Nikus, got killed and 12 others sustained pellet injuries. All the injured were rushed to Srinagar and admitted to SMHS Hospital for treatment. Doctors said two of them had grievous injuries.
Shakeel had lately appeared in CET but failed after passing his class 12th examination with 80 per cent marks. Son of a chowkidar, he had two brothers and two sisters besides his parents. With this, death toll in the 49-day-long turbulence, triggered by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s death on July 8, has reached 69 including three Police personnel.
Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama Muneer-ul-Islam did not respond to repeated phone calls from this newspaper. However, residents said that the people in the procession had apparently no plan on intention to attack the Pandit settlement. They, however, admitted that the demonstrators shouted pro-Pakistan, pro-Islam, pro-Azadi and anti-India slogans and many of them carried Pakistani flags.