CM visits Kangan, meets family of slain youth
Protests rock area after visit
CM visits Kangan, meets family of slain youth
Srinagar, Apr 05: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met the family of a youth, who died of wounds he suffered in a clash between protesters and government forces, and assured them of justice, a government spokesperson said.
She met the family of Gowher Ahmed Rather in their hometown Kangan in Ganderbal district, and said the guilty would be brought to book.
MLC Yasir Reshi; Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan; IGP S P Pani; Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Piyush Singla; SSP Fayaz Ahmad Lone and other senior officers accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.
Rather was critically injured during clashes between protestors and government forces at Kangan on Monday following the death of 13 militants and four civilians in three encounters Shopian and Anantnag districts on Sunday.
Rather, who had suffered severe head injuries, died at SKIMS hospital here on Tuesday.
While a magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident, police has also initiated a departmental inquiry.
A policeman has been suspended in connection with the killing, which locals and the family of the slain youth say was “cold-blooded murder”.
Meanwhile, protests were held in the area after Chief Minister concluded her visit to the family of slain youth.
An eye witness said that people, including men and women, took to streets and held protests after Mehbooba left from the area.
The protesters raised pro-freedom, pro-Islam and anti-government slogans.
The father of the slain youth said that he had little expectations from the probe ordered by the government. He dubbed the Chief Minister’s visit as a “publicity stunt”.
“She (Mehbooba) came here to express condolences. And they (authorities) also carry out such visits for photo-ops. We have put forth three demands before the CM and we will get to know by the end of today if she acts,” said the father of slain youth.
The family, among other demands, has asked the Chief Minister to dismiss the accused cop from service.
