The killing of a civilian by troops set off widespread protests by residents in Jammu and Kashmir’s frontier district of Kupwara on Saturday. The Army said it regrets the incident and that student Manzoor Ahmed Magray, 21, was shot as troops mistook him for a militant. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said it was “another needless death in bloody Kashmir”.
The shooting incident came hours after Union home minister P. Chidambaram concluded his two-day visit to the state during which he and the CM agreed to expedite the process towards finding an out-of-the-box solution to the Kashmir imbroglio. Mr Chidambaram held a series of meetings with state functionaries and senior officials of various security forces to review the security and development scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Army said its troops had following specific intelligence about movement of militants and laid an ambush in Gund Chogul, Handwara, on Friday night, and that on noticing some suspicious movement they challenged the persons and opened fire, killing the civilian. Expressing heartfelt condolences, the defence spokesperson, Lt. Gen. J.S. Brar, said the youth was killed when he and another person attempted to run away when signalled to stop by the Army ambush party.
“At approximately 10.30 pm, our boys detected suspicious movement of two people moving towards the ambush (site) and, in accordance with standing operating procedures, the troops challenged the individuals to surrender,” he said, adding that both persons paid no heed to the challenge and attempted to run away under cover of darkness. At this, the troops opened fire, resulting in fatal injuries to Magray while the other unidentified person escaped. “We deeply and sincerely express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on this incident,” the spokesperson said.
However, thousands of residents took to the streets to protest the killing. They also blocked the Srinagar-Kupwara road and demanded action against the personnel responsible. They alleged that the Class 12 student was shot by troops from close range, without provocation. The police registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code against the soldiers of 4 Para at Handwara police station and started investigations. The state authorities have, meanwhile, ordered a magisterial inquiry. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the incident could have been avoided if a suggestion made by him at a Unified Command meeting had been implemented. However, he did not elaborate. He posted a message on the micro-blogging site Twitter: “How can one not condemn the death of 21-year-old Manzoor at the hands of the Army late last night. Another needless death in a bloody Kashmir.” He added he was trying to understand the circumstances in which the youth was killed, but was not getting enough answers to his many questions. “Lots of questions but not enough answers at the moment.”