Human Rights

‘Why are they killing innocent people? At least give us his body’: Kashmir families seek justice

Younger daughter of Altaf Ahmed, Laifa is being consoled by her relatives at her home in Barzulla. [FPK Photo/Zainab]

Srinagar: The family of Mohammad Altaf Bhat who was killed in an military operation in Hyderpora area of Srinagar on late Monday evening, held a protest demonstration on second consecutive day at press enclave on Wednesday to demand body of deceased back, while refuting the police claims. 

Talking to reporters at press enclave Srinagar, Altaf’s brother, Abdul Majeed said that they want justice and urged the authorities to return the body his brother. 

He said that as if a movie was being shot by the armed forces in which they killed his innocent brother.

“It is extremely shameful that innocents have been killed in the encounter. My brother was called thrice by the security forces and was taken to the building for searches. When they didn’t find anything, then they created an atmosphere of fear which turned into an encounter in which innocents were killed,” he said.

Meanwhile, he urged the authorities to return the body of his brother s that they can give him a dignified burial.

“I appeal to LG Manoj Sinha to verify all the facts about this encounter, and if any allegation proves true against my brother, then hang me at Lal Chowk’s Ghanta Ghar Lal,” Majeed said.

Majeed said that unfortunately he is a government employee and he remains in contact with the J&K police 24 hours as he is working as a numberdar. 

“If my brother was involved in militancy, I would have been informed by the police earlier but all the allegations of the police are false. For 30 years my brother has been working at Hyderpora Bypass. He had his own complex which had six shops in it. The three rooms of the top floor of building were given on rent to property dealers whose police verification was completed by the concerned police station,” he added.

Majeed said that if the police had inputs about their involvement in militancy, then they should have first contacted the concerned police officer of the area.

“My brother was a builder. He was innocent and had no links with militancy. The entire locality of Hyderpora knew him well. Go and ask them what kind of a man Altaf Bhat was,” he said.

Majeed said that everyday police checking was carried out at Hyderpora and the police also knew him well as they used to sit with him for a cup of tea. 

“The CRPF personnel also were aware about him and his business. Then how could he be involved in militancy. I appeal to the authorities to investigate this matter and if anything would be found against my brother, then hang me,” said Majeed.

He said that his brother was innocent as he was a businessman.

“Give us his body. Why is the government killing innocent people in the name of militants? Now my brother has been killed nobody can return him alive but at least his family should be given the right to see him one last time and give him a dignified burial,” Majeed said. (KNS)

 

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