Srinagar: Indian soldiers of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles shot dead a 24-year-old youth in Baramulla on Tuesday, triggering massive protests across the Valley. The Dispatch news Desk reports.
Baramulla deputy commissioner Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad told the media, “There was no law and order problem in the town. It was absolutely normal. This firing is uncalled for.”
A distressed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah broke down in the state assembly, wondering how he would “answer the questions of the people”. As fears of violence rose, the government pulled the plug on mobile Internet service in the Valley.
Tahir Ahmad Sofi, who had a postgraduate degree in social work, was shot dead by soldiers who were provoked by taunts and hoots, witnesses to the incident said. They described the firing as “indiscriminate”, and claimed that the forces reacted even though no protests were ongoing. Doctors said Sofi was hit in the head and chest. Another youth, Mohammad Abass, was wounded in the foot.
“In the morning, soldiers patrolled the Kaker Hamam neighbourhood of old Baramulla town. The youth hooted at them. This angered the soldiers and they barged into homes and broke down doors and window panes,” said Irfan Ahmad, who said he was witness to the incidents. “Minor protests in the neighbourhood followed, but they subsided soon. However, in the afternoon, the soldiers returned to the area, and opened fire,” Ahmad said.
Following Sofi’s death, hundreds of youth clashed with police and paramilitary forces in Baramulla. Two people were injured after police fire teargas shells to disperse the protesters. In the evening, large groups of protesters marched on the streets in Sopore, Srinagar and south Kashmir towns, raising pro-freedom slogans.
In the assembly, the chief minister choked up in anger and helplessness. “I am asking myself why, why, there was firing on a procession… on a procession at which according to my information, no militant was present and no one from which opened fire,” he said.
Referring to PDP members who had walked out in protest earlier, Omar said, “Those who have left have done the right thing. I feel much more angry than they do.” “I have to seek an apology for actions for which I am not responsible, or are in any way related to. I am being asked to answer questions on Afzal Guru, on the return of his mortal remains to his family, and on the use of unnecessary force by the Army. I have to answer for every bullet they fire at civilians. What replies do I give to my people,” Omar asked.
“This is why I stress on the partial revocation of AFSPA… Is this why we have been holding up the national flag?… Why, for what, and for whom?”
The J&K Police have registered a case of murder against the Army. “We have an registered FIR against the forces,” a police spokesman said.
