The police in Kashmir are grappling to come out of the counter-insurgency mode, despite lowest-ever militant activities. The alleged killing of a woman by the police in a non-militancy operation in south Kashmir's Kokernag area two days ago has come as a grim reminder.
Residents of Ahlan Bala village in south Kashmir's Kokernag, 65 km away from Srinagar, is protesting and mourning for second consecutive day on Sunday following the 'killing' of 65-year old Mukhti Begum on Friday night by the police during an altercation. She was beaten to death, say eyewitnesses.

On Saturday, in an attempt to cover up, the police statement claimed the victim died of cardiac arrest and three kgs of banned substance was recovered from her residence.

The police, however, refuted the earlier claim on Sunday and point out at a botched up operation.
"The police investigation revealed that the son-in-law, Yousuf Dagga, of the deceased woman along with two special police officers (SPOs), Mohammad Ashraf Deka and Fayaz Ahmad, had misguided and misled the police by placing 3.3 kilos of illegal substance near the house of Suliman Naikoo (the victim's husband) in advance," said police spokesman in Srinagar's zonal headquarters on Sunday.

The accused, including two cops, were arrested. A departmental enquiry has been initiated against the police party headed by assistant sub inspector Mohammad Sultan, who was accompanied by seven SPOs during the raid.

"The accused will be punished if found guilty," said additional district development commissioner Anantnag, Nisar Hussain Wani.

For more read the October 8 edition of Hindustan Times