Conflict
Three youth, militant killed in Shopian, JRL calls for complete shutdown on Monday
Srinagar: Three civilians and a militant were killed in a firing incident in Shopian district on Sunday.
However, the Army has claimed that the three civilians killed were ‘Over Ground Workers’ of the militants.
An Army Spokesman claimed that militants, who were travelling in a vehicle in Pohan area of the district attacked a joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post, at 20:00 hours.
He added that the troops retaliated and while searching the vehicle, body of the militant and three over ground workers were recovered.
The militant has been identified as Shahid Ahmed Dar, a resident of Jamnagri, Shopian. The three civilians killed have been identified as Suhail Khaleel Wagay of Pinjoora, Mohammad Shahid Khan of Malikgund, Shahnawaz Ahmad Wagay of Trenz.
They all belong to Shopian district.
The Army also claimed that a weapon was recovered from the spot.
However, locals contested the army claim, saying the three slain youth were civilians travelling in a car.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted as soon as the news spread in the area.
Internet services in the district have been snapped.
Meanwhile, the Joint Resistance Leadership has called for a complete shutdown on Monday.
According to Kashmir Life, hundreds of people have come out on streets to protest in the area. The report also said that students of Kashmir University have also come out to register their protest.
The police told Kashmir Life that they are investigating the matter. “We are investigating the matter and as of now don’t have the exact details and affiliations of the three other slain men.”
Students in Kashmir University have also come out to protest the killing. A student told Kashmir Life over the phone that intense sloganeering is going on in the campus.
Meanwhile, the internet services have been snapped in Shopian district.
Last month three civilians were murdered by the Army in Ganowpora area of Shopian, after a crowd threw stones at them. They had come to remove ‘black banners’ which the people didn’t allow.
The army according to eyewitnesses retaliated with firing. Witnesses added that army fired upon youth directly resulting in the injuries of at least 11 persons.
The Army however said that they fired in ‘self defence’ after they were provoked to the ‘ultimate’ by a stone throwing crowd.
The BJP, coalition partner of the ruling PDP had demanded that the FIR against the Army should be withdrawn and a new one lodged without naming anyone. However, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the investigation would be taken to its ‘logical end.’
A BJP leader Subramanian Swamy threatened Mehbooba Mufti to withdraw the FIR against the army otherwise her government would be toppled.
“What’s this nonsense? Dismiss that government. Tell Mehbooba (Mufti) to withdraw the FIR else her government would be toppled,” Swamy told ANI.
Eventually, the Indian Supreme Court stayed the FIR against Army and said that that no coercive action should be initiated against the Army personnel.
