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Kashmir seethes in anger over killing of two youth by army

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Wailing relatives protest the killings at Nowgam on Tuesday
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Anger has swept across the Valley a day after the army killed two youth in Chattergam village of Budgam district even as the Jammu and Kashmir police slapped murder charges against the troopers under section 302 Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

Indian army has removed the personnel alleged to be involved in the incident and moved them to the location of the enquiry headed by the deputy commander of the Rashtriya Riffles (RR) battalion.

Troopers on Monday had opened fire at a Maruti car when they failed to stop at a check post near the village. Four people travelling in the vehicle received gunshot and were shifted to the army hospital by the troopers. Two of them Faisal Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-ud-din Dar, later succumbed to their injuries and two others are undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Senior superintendent of police, Budgam, Mohammad Irshad Khan said they have lodged an FIR in the incident. "We have registered a case under section 302 RPC," he said.

Violent protests rocked Nowgam area of Srinagar suburb after the bodies of two youth were laid to rest on Tuesday. Raising pro freedom slogans, the protestors pelted stones on the security forces which used smoke shells and lathi-charge to disperse the mob. The ding dong battle continued for hours even as the curfew-like situation was imposed in the area to avoid further flare up of the situation.

Family members said the youth were returning home after witnessing the Muhram procession when they were shot by the army men near Chattergam. "We were gearing up for a family function on Sunday and had told Faisal to buy new curtains. On his way his friends met him and they decided to witness a Muhram procession. When they were returning, the army men asked them to stop. They applied brakes but the car skidded some feet forward. They army men then fired indiscriminately at the car," said Muzaffar Ahmad, cousin of slain teeanger Faisal.

Lieutenant Colonel NN Joshi, defence spokesman at Srinagar said based on the specific Intelligence reports about the movement of terrorists in a white Maruti 800 on November 3 along Nowgam-Pulwama road, three mobile vehicle check posts were established. "At approximately, 5 pm, a white Maruti 800 approached the first check point where the personnel tried to stop the car but it did not stop. Again at the second check point, the vehicle was stopped but it did not stop. At the third check point, the vehicle tried to barge through the check point, resulting into a firing incident in which four persons were injured," he said

Indian army expressed regret over the loss of lives and ordered an enquiry to investigate into the circumstance leading to the incident. "Overnight, the personnel alleged to be involved in the incident were moved to the location of the enquiry. The deputy commander of a neighbouring RR Sector conducting the enquiry has been tasked to complete the investigations at the earliest. The GOC Chinar Corps has assured that justice will be done," the defence spokesman said.

The killing could not have come at a worse time as the restive Jammu and Kashmir is gearing up for the five phase polls starting November 25. The killing has given separatists a handle to hit out at the pro India politicians to enforce poll boycott in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The incident which happened during the days of Ashura rekindled memories and scenes of Karbala in Kashmir. People should observe complete shutdown on Wednesday against the barbarism committed," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference.

Sensing trouble, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah spoke to the defence minister Arun Jaitley and told him that these deaths have served to vitiate the poll atmosphere already strained by the post flood reconstruction challenge that people face.

"Defence minister has assured a time bound transparent inquiry into the incident to ensure action if wrong doing is established. Justice in these cases should be swift and effective so that there is no cynicism in the minds of the people when it comes to their faith in the institutions of justice," said Omar.

Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the prime minister Narendra Modi to intervene and put a stop to the unaccounted killings in Kashmir. "Continued use of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has generated an all pervading sense of impunity among the security forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must use his decisive mandate as an opportunity to open a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir by taking steps to revoke the AFSPA," said Mehbooba Mufti, PDP president.

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