Amidst simmering tension, thousands of people joined the funeral of 17- year-old Zahid Farooq, who was shot dead allegedly by the security forces on Saturday at Brain Nishat in Srinagar suburb.
Angry people had refused to bury Zahid on Saturday until the FIR was lodged and a case of murder registered against the guilty. They kept the body at the police station till late night pressing for their demands.
Later the government swung into action and registered a case under section 302 RPC (murder) and took the body for post mortem.
“The postmortem was done by a team of doctors and in presence of the members of the bereaved family. The process has been properly video-graphed”, said Mehraj A Kakroo, district magistrate Srinagar.
The body was later handed over to the family for burial. Thousands of people took to the streets raising pro-freedom and anti- government slogans at Brain Nishat. People also burnt tyres on the streets as a mark of protest.
“People realised that we are sincere in probing the incident. We are maintaining full transparency to reach the bottom of the case”, said Kakroo.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has instituted a high level enquiry to bring the facts of the matter to the fore.Headed by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Naseema Lankar, she has been asked to submit a report within seven days.
“The government is committed to zero tolerance to human rights violations. My government will not allow disruptive elements to create law and order situation in the state but at the same time will not tolerate any kind of rights abuses”, said Omar.
For the sixth day in a row Kashmir valley was shut against the killings of teenager. On Sunday, a ClassVII student, Wamik Farooq, was killed by a tear smoke shell fired by a police in Rajouri Kadal triggering a fresh wave of protests in the valley.
Undeclared curfew continues in the sensitive Old City whereas strict restrictions under section 144 CrPC were imposed in the rest of the Srinagar to avoid any escalation of violence.
Several separatists leaders have been arrested and others including Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest to foil the UN march on Monday.
“People are advised to contact us on telephone for any
assistance”, said HK Lohia, deputy inspector general of police, central Kashmir range.
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