Protests rock Kashmir town against civilian's killing

The killing of a civilian in an alleged fake encounter by the army in Kupwara district of north Kashmir raised the tempers in the area on Thursday with locals clashing with security forces throughout the day.

21-year-old Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Tarathpora area of Handwara old, a college student, according to the police, was missing since August 21. Earlier, on Tuesday Army claimed that Mir was a militant and was killed in an encounter in Hafruda forests of Handwara.

However, doctors while performing a post-mortem of Mir raised alarm about his identity as he did not appear to be a foreigner claimed by the army, sources said. The family of Mir claimed that the slain youth was their missing son and the body was handed over to them.

State police chief Shesh Pal Vaid confirmed that the deceased was a civilian. "According to the family, he was missing for a few days now. How was he present in the jungle where the gun battle was going is to be investigated. We are looking into the matter,” he told reporters.

However, locals alleged that Mir was killed in a fake encounter as he had left home on Monday at around 5 pm but did not return. His family had lodged a missing person’s report in the concerned police station and on Wednesday evening, they were called to a nearby army camp to identify a body, which they realised was that of their eldest son.

The family has vehemently denied Mir had any links with militants as claimed by the army earlier. "He (Mir) was picked up on Sunday by an army convoy and had since been missing. We didn't see him after that day. We went to all places, to the forests, to every village, but couldn't find him," his family told reporters.

The protesters had kept the body of slain youth at a chowk, demanding a FIR to be lodged against the troops involved in the incident. Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara Khalid Jehangir said they were ascertaining about the troops involved in the incident and once that is established FIR will be lodged against them. Meanwhile a complete shutdown was observed in Handwara and Kupwara area of north Kashmir against the killing.