Outrage in Kashmir over teenager killing

Srinagar: The killing of one more Kashmiri youth in North Kahmir, allegedly by Army, has triggered anger across the state.

People in North Kashmir are fuming over the killing and protests on large scale are reported.

Fifteen-year-old Ashiq Hussain Rather of North Kashmir's Laiser village in Rafi Abad, Baramulla was shot dead by an Indian Army solider when he was coming out from his home at around 9 pm on Friday night.

As soon as the news of the killing of the youth spread, people in large numbers came out from their houses and staged protest against the Army.

Local residents alleged that Ashiq Hussain was killed in firing by army personnel who were present in the area.

Ashiq Hussain, a resident of Lesar village, 75 km from Srinagar, died soon after being hit by a bullet.

A Defence spokesman said troops of 32 Rashtriya Rifles and police had launched a joint operation following information about presence of militants in the area.

The spokesman said that some gun shots were heard and due to darkness it could not be ascertained how and who actually got killed.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir, Muneer Khan said that he is talking to people and trying to know the actual facts.

"As soon as the reality will surface we will issue a statement," he said.

Meanwhile, senior police and army officers were seen on the spot monitoring the situation and get further details.

Army's Srinagar based spokesman said "we are ascertaining the facts."

Colonel J S Brar said that they have already issued a statement during night and no latest report about this incident was available with him.

"We are ascertaining the facts and will inform the media," he said.

Meanwhile Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the government will inquire into the circumstances in which this youth was killed,

"It is too early to comment on the incident as there are multiple versions coming out about it. We are looking into the matter and as soon as facts will surface we will be able to react on it." Omar, who arrived Srinagar from Jammu, told reporters.

Sources said that the Chief Minister is likely to visit the affected family late during the day.

Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani and Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda have reached Baramulla district headquarters and are monitoring the situation, official sources said.

Coming down heavily on the present government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti said that Omar failed miserably in revoking the "Black Law" like AFSPA.

"Such killings will occur as long as AFSPA is there. This law should be revoked. No body cares about common Kashmiri. How long they will get killed in cold blood like cattle. The culprits in this heinous crime must be punished," Mehbooba said.

Normal life in Kashmir was hit on Saturday due to a strike call given by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front on the 28th death anniversary of its founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat.

Business and commercial establishments including shops, banks, government and semi government offices remained closed due to the strike.

The strike call was supported by both factions of Hurriyat Conference.

Transport services were also affected in the absence of public conveyance. However, private vehicles could be seen plying on the roads in the summer capital Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.

Police has sealed off the Lal Chowk area as a precautionary measure apprehending protest by JKLF activists.

No vehicle or any pedestrian was being allowed to enter into the city centre of Lal Chowk

Pertinently, Bhat was hanged in Delhi's Tihar jail on this day in 1984 following conviction in a murder case. His corpse was buried in the premises of Tihar Jail.

A police official said no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the valley and situation was under control.