Amid condemnations and demands, political parties, civil society groups are hitting roads in demand of the “returning of the bodies” of civilians killed in Hyderpora encounter.
In Srinagar, Sajad lone’s Peoples conference today staged a protest at Sangarmal Srinagar which was led by senior party leaders Abdul Gani Wakil and Khurshid Aalam.
Talking to reporters, Aalam said that there should be neutral probe to ascertain the facts in the killings and to ensure proper justice bodies must be returned to the families.
“Prime Minister being the guardian of the country should ensure every human life matters. We demand independent probe, justice and return of bodies to families,” he demanded.
The protesters were carrying placards seeking an end to innocent killings and return of the bodies.
National conference vice president and former chief minister omar abdullah along with party workers held Dharna at Srinagar against Hyderpora killings.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Muhammad Yaseen Bhat also staged a protest saying the killing of innocent civilians is the murder of democracy. He said innocent killings should immediately stop and the bodies should be returned to families without any delay.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Lawyers on Thursday held a protest demonstration in the district demanding the return of bodies of the slain civilians killed in ‘controversial’ military operation at Hyderpora.
According to the police, Mohammad Amir of Famrote village in Ramban was a militant and was killed along with his Pakistani accomplice in the Monday evening encounter in Hyderpora, where an illegal call centre and a terror hideout were allegedly being run.
Two civilians — Altaf Bhat and Mudassir Gul — were also killed in the firing, triggering an angry reaction from their family who claimed they were innocent and not linked to militancy.
The family members of two civilians staged a sit-in at the Press Enclave in Srinagar on Wednesday and held a candlelight vigil after the daylong protest. They were forcibly removed from the site by police around midnight and a few of them were detained, officials said on Thursday.
On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered a magisterial probe into the Hyderpora encounter.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a tweet, “A magisterial inquiry by an officer of ADM rank has been ordered in Hyderpora encounter. The government will take suitable action as soon as the report is submitted in a time-bound manner. J-K admin reiterates its commitment of protecting lives of innocent civilians and it will ensure there is no injustice.”
