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Curious case of Riyaz’s pellet death
SRINAGAR: Photos circulating on social media show Riyaz Ahmad Shah, 21, of Srinagar’s Chattabal area lying dead on a footpath late on Tuesday night — dressed in
SRINAGAR: Photos circulating on social media show Riyaz Ahmad Shah, 21, of Srinagar’s Chattabal area lying dead on a footpath late on Tuesday night — dressed in a green kurta, a black helmet still on. The white scooty, splashed with blood, lies next to him.
The photo does not show that his abdomen had a deep wound — a pellet cartridge fired from close range burst inside and there were “more than 350 pellets” lodged in his chest and abdomen. Sources privy to the X-ray report say his vital organs, including lungs and kidneys, were ruptured by the minuscule metallic pellets.
According to Riyaz’s brother, Shakeel, he was returning home from the ATM at Habba Kadal area, where he worked as a guard. “At around 10.15pm when I called him, he said he was on his way but then he did not come,” Shakeel told HT. He called again after some time and Riyaz said he was almost there. At 11.30pm, Shakeel got a call from SMHS hospital, where he found his dead brother.
Relatives alleged Riyaz – “an innocent man”— was shot in cold blood by “CRPF personnel” who had a bunker near the area where he was found dead. Police registered an FIR (number 57/2016) at Karan Nagar police station against “security forces” in Riyaz’s death and investigation is on, SHO Pervaiz Ahmad informed HT.
When asked about the allegations against CRPF personnel, CRPF DIG KK Sharma told HT there was no “motive” for jawans to attack Riyaz. “Why will they kill him without any reason? Is there even one reason? I think these are well-planned activities by anti-social elements to malign the force,” he said.
Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani termed the death a “cold-blooded murder” and the killing, observers say, has deteriorated the Valley’s situation.
The circumstances of Riyaz’s death — who shot him and how — are not clear as of now but there are many questions bewildering the family.
Police confirmed to HT that Riyaz was shot with a pellet gun from point-blank range and the pellet cartridge burst inside his body, releasing hundreds of tiny metallic particles.
The nature of the injury, relatives said, indicated that whoever shot Riyaz had an intention to kill him, refuting any suggestions that the personnel might have used pellets to “control a mob”.
