Left for prayers, brought back dead

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Aug 20: A pall of gloom descended on Mudassir’s native district as soon as the word of his death spread in the area. Hundreds of people took to streets in the district and raised pro-freedom slogans.

Mudassir had sustained injuries when a patrolling party of paramilitary CRPF men 177 battalion had opened fire upon a group of youth at Hajjam Mohalla in Sopore town. Two bullets hit Mudassir in abdomen and chest. In critical condition, he was rushed to SKIMS where he succumbed to his injuries this morning.

Mudassir’s body was brought to his native village at around 3:30 PM today, and was kept in the compound of his house. Beating their chest, hundreds of women showered flowers and sweets on his body. The women applied Mehndi on his hands and bade him tearful adieu by singing traditional Kashmiri marriage songs.

Mudassir’s body was taken in a procession to Chanki Pora, where thousands of people offered his funeral prayer.

Mudassir, who was working with a private telecom, was finally laid to rest at local Martyrs’ graveyard in the evening amid pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans.

Pertinently, Mudassir’s first cousin, Parvaiz Ahmad Hajam son of Ghulam Hassan of Hajjam Mohalla was also killed in CRPF firing on January 15, 2010.

Mudassir’s father, Nazir Ahmad, said that his son had left home for offering special Ramadan prayers (Taraveeh).

“Little did I know that his dead body will reach back home,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sopore police today registered a case Fir No 413/2010 under section 302 RPC against the CRPF men.

A police officer, while confirming the filing of murder case against CRPF 177 Battalion, said the Sopore police has initiated investigation into the killing.

Meanwhile, CRPF spokesman said that the protesting youth had pelted stones and broken glass bottles at CRPF 177 Battalion, injuring several CRPF men including an assistant commandant, SK Dass.

“CRPF men had to fire in self defense,” he said.