SRINAGAR, July 31: Protests have erupted in Balpora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district after the death of a youth.
Locals say Auqib Hussain, 22, was beaten to death by security forces after an argument over some issue.
Hussain was a tanker driver and supplied water to a camp of the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
However, Police say the youth was killed in a mishap involving his own water-bearing lorry.
Locals residents, however, allege that the youth was beaten to death by CRPF personnel inside their camp after he argued with them. The incident took place on Monday night.
The police were investigating into the incident and the body has been sent for a post-mortem.
Meanwhile, Member Legislative Assembly from Shopian, Abdul Razaq Zawoora has demanded a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The MLA visited the bereaved family to offer condolences today.
Deputy Chairman State Legislative Council, M.Y. Taing has also expressed deep anguish over the killing of youth. He has also demanded immediate inquiry into the matter so that “culprits be brought to book immediately”.
Separatist leaders have also condemned the incident. “Our youth are being killed on a daily basis in Kashmir valley. Yesterday it was Bandipora, today it is Shopian. Not a day passes in valley when we don’t face state terrorism in one form or the other,” said hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in a statement.
The incident comes just a week after a 20-year-old youth, Hilal Ahmed Dar was shot dead by Army personnel. Locals said the youth was tortured in custody beforing being shot dead by soldiers.
Police sources said two civilians have been arrested, one among them an Army informer, who had allegedly lured Dar into an ambush for monetary benefits. The defence minister, AK Antony has also ordered a probe into the incident.
