Relatives of those slain at Hyderpora hold protests, demand fair investigation and remains of slain
Following contradictory claims regarding the two dead men in Hyderpora on Monday, a dispute arose as their relatives questioned the police’s claim that they were ‘terror associates’.
Families of civilians killed in Srinagar’s Hyderpora ‘encounter’ staged a protest on Wednesday, demanding justice and the handover of their loved ones’ remains.
Families camped in the Press Enclave Srinagar and continued their protest despite the harsh weather, seeking the bodies of their loved ones.
Slain man’s wife says militancy charges are absolutely fake
“Mudasir was not a member of any militant organization or an OGW,” according to Mudasir’s wife, Humaira who protested on Wednesday while carrying her little daughter in her lap.
“He was a doctor by profession. His daughter simply says Baba, Baba, and she wants to see her Baba’s face,” she added.
She further explained, “Imran (another slain man from Gool Ramban during the ‘gunfight’) was not a militant either. He worked as an office boy.”
‘Numberdar’ claims despite being in touch with police, cops never complained about his brother
Abdul Majeed, Altaf’s brother, stated that as a ‘numberdar’ (revenue worker), he is in regular contact with the police and that if his brother was involved in militancy, the police would have told him.
“For the past 30 years, he has operated in Hyderpora Bypass. We had supplied their (tenants’) verification in Police Station Saddar,” he said of the building he rented.
“If there was anything, the cops should have notified us,” Majeed stated.
Controversy erupted after police claims about Hyderpora encounter
Following contradicting statements about the two slain men in Hyderpora on Monday, a controversy erupted as their family members questioned the police’s assertion that they were ‘terror associates’.
According to the J-K Police, the encounter in Hyderpora resulted in the killing of a Pakistani militant and his local collaborator Mohammad Amir, as well as two civilians, Mohammad Altaf Bhat and Mudasir Gul.
Families demand dead bodies of their slain kin
The families of Mohammad Altaf Bhat and Mudassir staged a protest on Wednesday in the city’s Press Enclave, requesting that their loved ones’ remains be returned to them because they were neither militants nor OGWs.
The remains of all four people slain in the encounter were buried in the Handwara region of Kupwara district in north Kashmir, according to the police.
Government killing innocent civilians in the name of militancy: Mehbooba
Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accused the Central government of “killing innocent people in the name of militancy in Kashmir” on Wednesday.
The PDP, which has called for talks with Pakistan and the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) – which gives security forces broad powers, claims that AFSPA is to blame for ‘civilian killings’ and armed strife in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am protesting because this government kills people in the name of militancy,” she stated, adding, ” Nobody knows whether there are any militants dead. Three civilians have lately been slain. Despite the families’ demands, the administration refuses to give over their dead bodies,” Mufti said while leading a protest march outside the PDP’s Jammu headquarters.
“There is no accountability and no responsibility because of AFSPA,” she claimed.
Farooq Abdullah demands impartial probe into Hyderpora gunfight
Dr Farooq Abdullah, the President of the National Conference and a Member of Parliament, called Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha yesterday to renew his demand for an impartial, time-bound investigation into the Hyderpora encounter and the handover of remains to their families for last rites.
According to him, the impact of such killings, as well as the subsequent culture of impunity for civilian killings, is significant and would ultimately depress the public psyche.
“The conflicting accounts of the deaths have spread dread throughout Kashmir. Various interpretations have sparked concern among the public, particularly among bereaved relatives,” he added.
