JOIN USA government spokesman said police registered a custodial killing case under Section 302-RPC (similar to IPC). A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Three police officials were placed under suspension and another attached.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described the death of youth in police custody as a gross violation of human rights. “The death of Anjum Rashid in police custody is a gross human right violation and inexcusable. Things like this cannot be allowed to happen. I expect the police to do nothing less than make an example of those responsible so that nothing like this ever happens again. Swift and exemplary action. No delays, no cover ups, no excuses. That is all I can promise and ensure. It is not enough, of that too I am aware,” the chief minister wrote on Twitter.
Reports said 25-year-old Nazim Rashid Shalla alias Anjum was running a shop in Sopore. He was taken into custody by SOG on Saturday in connection with the killing of a local man, Mohammad Ashraf Dar, who was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen four days back. The police says he was killed by militants.
Nazim’s family members said the SOG told them that he would be released in the evening after he is questioned. “Instead of releasing him they killed him in custody,” they said.
As the news about the death of the youth in police custody spread, a shut down was observed in the town.
Police and security forces were deployed in strength to maintain law and order. Leader of Opposition and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was placed under house arrest. She wanted to go to Sopore and meet the affected family.