Protests in J&K over youth ‘killing’, probe on

The killing of two youth allegedly by the army at Bomai near Sopore on Saturday evening sparked protests in Kashmir on Sunday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. Rashid Ahmad reports.

The killing of two youth allegedly by the army at Bomai near Sopore on Saturday evening sparked protests in Kashmir on Sunday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.

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An army patrol party allegedly fired upon three youth, all residents of Bomai, eight km from Sopore, on Saturday. Two of them — Mohammad Amin Tantray and Javaid Ahmad — died on the spot while the third youth, Mukhtar Ahmad, is battling for life in Srinagar’s SMHS hospital. Defence spokesperson Col Uma Maheshwar denied the allegation. “Unidentified gunmen in combat fatigue were involved in the incident,” said Maheshwar. Police, however, have registered a murder case against the army.

Hundreds of people on Sunday attended funeral prayers of slain youth Mohammad Amin Tantray in Sopore.

Sopore, the stronghold of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani, was sealed off and strict curfew was enforced. Angry residents, however, defied curfew and held demonstrations. Authorities had to sent reinforcements to maintain law and order.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered magisterial enquiry into the killings and sought a report within 15 days. “Exemplary punishment will be given to those found guilty,” Omar said in a statement. This is for the fourth time since Abdullah assumed power in J&K on January 5 that the army is accused of being involved in civilian killings.