Srinagar: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Friday strongly condemned the “lynching to death” of Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police, Mohammad Ayub Pandith by an “unruly mob” outside the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar during the night long prayers of Shab-e-Qadr.
Terming the incident as “highly shameful”, the Chief Minister said, “what is unfortunate is that the said officer was posted at the grand mosque for its protection and for the facilitation, security and convenience of the devotees and who was killed during Shab-e-Qadr, the night of divine blessings and seeking Allah’s forgiveness and His generosity.”
“By this act of cowardice,” the Chief Minister said, “the perpetrators have brought disrepute to the tolerant and accommodative nature of Kashmiri people.”
She appealed people in general and members of civil society in particular “to rise to the occasion and isolate these criminal elements who are giving Kashmir and Kashmiris a bad name”.
Later, the Chief Minister visited District Police Lines, Srinagar where she laid floral wreath on the body of late Mohammad Ayoub Pandith.
She interacted with the officers of JK Police and family members of the Dy SP and consoled them on his killing, an official spokesperson said.
Minister for Rural Development Department, Abdul Haq Khan; Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari; Minister for R&B, Naeem Akhtar; Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; DGP, Dr S P Vaid; senior officers of civil administration and Police, family members of the slain officer and a large number of people were present on the wreath laying ceremony.
