‘Horrific, shameful’: Political parties condemn cop’s lynching in Kashmir | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

‘Horrific, shameful’: Political parties condemn cop’s lynching in Kashmir

Press Trust of India | ByPress Trust of India
Jun 24, 2017 09:09 AM IST

A senior police officer was lynched by a mob outside Srinagar’s main mosque on Islam’s holiest night, officials said on Friday, a rare such killing of security personnel in three decades of militant violence in Kashmir.

The lynching of a police officer outside the Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar on Friday triggered widespread condemnation from political parties with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah saying those behind the “travesty” should “burn in hell”.

A police officer comforts a wailing relative of Mohammad Ayoub Pandith, a policeman who was beaten to death, during a wreath laying ceremony at the police headquarters in Srinagar.(AP)
A police officer comforts a wailing relative of Mohammad Ayoub Pandith, a policeman who was beaten to death, during a wreath laying ceremony at the police headquarters in Srinagar.(AP)

In a strong reaction, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the killing of deputy superintendent of police Mohammad Ayub Pandith as “shameful” and warned people of severe backlash if the police loses its patience.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Congress expressed serious concern over the “worsening situation” in Kashmir and asked the government what policy it was following in the state which saw jawans and policemen dying every other day.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi termed the lynching as “horrific”, saying the incident marked a new low in the state.

“The brutal lynching of Deputy SP Md Ayub Pandith marks a new low. Pained beyond words at the horrific incident,” he said on Twitter.

Union minister Jitendra Singh described the lynching as an unholy act in the pious month of Ramzan and said the tragic death of the officer is yet another eye opener for the innocent masses of Kashmir.

Pandith was stripped naked and lynched by a mob after he allegedly opened fire at a group of people, who caught him clicking pictures near a mosque in downtown area in the early hours of Friday.

“What can be more shameful than this (lynching of officer). I want to say that J-K police is one of the best police forces in the country, they are brave but they are showing maximum restraint (while dealing with law and order situation) because they feel that they are dealing with their own people in J-K.

“But, for how long?” Mehbooba told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath-laying ceremony of the slain officer.

She said the officer had not gone to the mosque for personal work but was there to protect the lives of the people and fulfil his duty.

Calling the lynching height of barbarism, Omar said, “I am personally anguished and devastated by this tragedy. That this happened on the most auspicious night and outside Jamia Masjid is shocking.”

“His death is a tragedy & the manner of his death a travesty. May the people who lynched DySP Pandith burn in hell for their sins,” Omar wrote on Twitter.

The former chief minister of the state announced a donation of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of the party and also a month’s salary as MLA to the police welfare fund to support families of such martyrs.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the brutal act of killing of Pandith and said it was against Islam and humanity.

“It is a shameful act. Killing a person in the holy month of Ramzan is condemnable. Such thing is against both the Islam and the humanity,” he said.

At the AICC briefing, Congress spokesperson RPN Singh said, “There is complete breakdown as far as law and order is concerned, as far as internal security is concerned. It seems that the Government has no policy, has no kind of action plan and seems that it is not moved by what is happening in J&K.”

Separatist Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too condemned the lynching of the police officer, saying the “brutal” act was “outside the parameters of our values and religion.“

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On