Srinagar: Political parties in Kashmir on Wednesday condemned the killing of a civilian by CRPF personnel in Budgam district and called for an impartial enquiry to punish the guilty.
Peer Peer Mehraj-ud-din of Makhama, Beerwah was killed when CRPF personnel opened fire on his vehicle at Kawoosa check point near Narbal on Srinagar-Gulmarg highway. He was rushed to SMHS hospital in the city where he succumbed to his injuries, according to police.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), in a statement, strongly condemned the killing of Mehrajuddin.
“The firing should have been avoided. The loss of innocent lives has the potential to lead to further alienation of the people,” the JKPCC said.
The party demanded a probe into the circumstances, which led to the killing of the civilian in order to fix the responsibility.
Peoples Conference too has condemned the killing and demanded dispassionate probe into the matter
“We strongly condemn the killing of Mehraj din Shah, ostensibly shot at for jumping a check post. Jumping a checkpoint must not be a reason to kill and we must not normalize shooting of our youth for minor incidents like these. We urge the government to probe the matter dispassionately and hold those responsible to account”, PC spokesperson Adnan Mir said in a statement.
CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the reckless killing of an unarmed civilian at the hands of security personnel must be investigated in a time bound, impartial manner and responsibility be fixed so that guilty is punished under law.
Tarigami said the justification given by the police for unfortunate killing of an innocent civilian is bizarre.
“Even if the claims of the police are true that the slain civilian jumped a checkpoint, CRPF men could have fired at the tyres of the vehicle he was driving instead of shooting him in the chest,” Tarigami said.
While reacting to the incident, the PDP called for an inquiry.
“Shooting a civilian dead cannot be how a democracy operates. Eagerness of few trigger happy individuals to replicate Delhi Police model of destruction & violence in Budgam is detestable. An enquiry should be initiated & guilty taken to task,” the party tweeted.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah termed the incident as unfortunate.
“Very unfortunate. The circumstances surrounding this shooting need to be impartially investigated & findings made known. My condolences to the family of the deceased,” he tweeted.
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) senior leader Ghulam Hassan Mir on Wednesday condemned the killing and demanded a time bound probe into the incident.
“There are no words to express our grief over this avoidable loss of precious life. This unjustified use of force to enforce the COVID lockdown only adds to the alienation and resentment among the people,” he said, adding, the circumstances, which led to the killing of the youth be thoroughly and fairly investigated in order to fix the responsibility.
