Budgam, July 21, KP: On a day, when people observed shutdown against the civilian killings, a civilian was shot dead by Army in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Local reports said that shortly after the culmination of Friday prayers at Beerwah Budgam, pro-freedom protests erupt while government forces lobbed tear-gas shells to disperse the protesters. Some of the protesters pelted stones on the Army, who in retaliation opened fire on them, killing a youth whom locals identified as Tanvir Ahmed Pala resident of Arwah village of the Budgam district.
Reports said that army men from 53 Rashtriya Rifles directly fired upon the protesters while a bullet hit into the head of the slain youth. Another youth also suffered bullet injuries. Though Tanvir was shifted to Primary Health Centre Gondipora, however, doctors declared him brought dead.
Locals alleged that earlier, army personnel thrashed vendors and pedestrians in the area. The killing sparked massive protests and clashes. The deceased was a tailor by profession.
Shortly after the killing of youth, authorities suspended mobile internet service across Budgam district.
Jammu Kashmir Police issued a press release about the killing. As per the police statement, “as per initial information received today a Foot Patrol of army was returning to its camp and near Beerwah some miscreants pelted stones on them. Someone among these miscreants also hurled a fire cracker towards the army men. Because of bang the army men thought a grenade was hurled and they retaliated. Two persons identified as Tanveer Ahmed Pala and Mohammed Ibrahim Wani were injured. Among them Tanveer succumbed to his injuries while Ibrahim is stable.”
Meanwhile, Police said that a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against Army’s 53 RR over this killing.
This is the second FIR lodged against army for murdering a civilian. Last week, police lodged a murder case against Army for killing a 60 year old civilian Muhammad Abdullah Ganaie in South Kashmir’s Bijbehara town.
Multiple funeral prayers were offered for Tanveer at his native place, Beerwah in central Kashmir, reports said.
Reports said that soon after Tanveer’s funeral prayers were offered and his body was being taken for burial, forces fired tear smoke shells on the mourners.
However police sources said that people pelted stones on forces, they retaliated with tear smoke shelling. Local sources said that intense clashes were going on in the town. (KP)
