A man, who was called for questioning and let off the same day in connection with the Poonch attack on April 20 that left five soldiers dead at Tota Gali, died by suicide on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Mukhtar Hussain Shah (35) of Nar village in Poonch district’s Mendhar sub-division.
The police, however, claimed that the deceased was let off the same day after questioning. “He was not among suspects but was asked to appear before the police for questioning a few days ago because his house is located close to the jungle where the attack unfolded. He was never detained. After being let off on the same day, he consumed some poisonous substance on Tuesday due to some family problem and he died at government medical college in Rajouri on Thursday,” said a police official.
It has been learnt that the deceased was a former overground worker. He was survived by his wife, three daughters and a son, besides parents.
Following his death, the family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest and raised slogans against the police and special operations group. They also blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway at Bhata Dhurian for some time.
{{/usCountry}}Following his death, the family members and relatives of the deceased staged a protest and raised slogans against the police and special operations group. They also blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway at Bhata Dhurian for some time.
{{/usCountry}}The family alleged that he was fed up of the alleged harassment by the police over the years.
The deceased also made a 10-minute video and shared it on social media sites wherein he said that none was responsible for his death.
He said his brothers, family and villagers were being tortured because of him and hence he decided to end his life.