Toll 70: Army ‘kills’ civilian, injured dies

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Sep 9: As the debate over revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gathers steam, troops of 44-RR (Rashtriya Rifles) allegedly killed a civilian on the intervening night of September 8-9 in the forest area of Bandipora, about 55 kilometers north of Srinagar, mistaken him for a militant. Police have registered a murder case and started investigation following massive protest demonstrations in the area.

Meanwhile, 55-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Guroo, who had sustained critical injuries during clashes between protestors and police and CRPF paramilitary men at Tengpora Bypass here, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS today, taking the death toll from three months of unrest in the valley to 70.

According to reports, 34-year-old, Manzoor Ahmad Piswal son of Ghulam Nabi Piswal of Aparkudara Gujjar Basti had gone into the upper reaches of forests, Behak, with other nomads to graze their livestock.

Leaving his livestock and other companions back at Behak, Manzoor left for his home in the dead of night after he received information that his lone son had taken ill at home.

According to locals, while Manzoor was returning home, troopers of 44 RR, who had laid an ambush in the area, mistook him for a militant and opened fire on him, injuring Manzoor critically. After there was no retaliatory fire, troopers waited for a while before walking towards the body of the slain man, who was lying in a pool of blood.

After realizing that he was a civilian, troopers immediately rushed him to a military camp nearby for treatment, however, his condition deteriorated and he was shifted to Bandipora sub-district hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 0800 hours this morning.

According to hospital sources, Manzoor’s body had four bullet injuries and he had died due to massive blood loss.

A pall of gloom descended on the Aparkudar Gujjar Basti after the news about Manzoor’s death broke out in the area. Hundreds of residents comprising men, women, and children raised slogans against the Army. The protestors, carrying body of Manzoor, marched throughout the area, while shouting slogans against the incident.

As the protests intensified, senior officials of police, Army, civil administration reached the spot to pacify the protestors. They assured the irate protestors that the incident would be probed and action would be taken against the erring troops.

After receiving assurances from the administration, protestors dispersed peacefully. Meanwhile, police registered a case and started investigation into the incident.

According to reports, Army had initially labeled Manzoor as militant, but later on changed its statement and accepted its responsibility following huge public outcry. Local village head, Meraj-ud-Din, said that police had already registered a case against the killing and had ensured justice to the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, Army spokesman in Srinagar said that troopers had laid an ambush in the forest area of Aparkudar after they received information about the presence of some militants in the area.

“Army noticed some suspicious moment on Wednesday night at around 0230 hours. The man (Manzoor) was challenged by the troops, but he started running away, prompting the soldiers to open fire which resulted in injuries to the man,” the spokesman said. “After ascertaining that the injured person was not armed, the troops gave him first aid and tried to send him to a hospital, but he succumbed to injuries."

There were reports that a large contingent of militants had crossed over to this side along the line of control (LoC) in the district, he added.

A 55-year-old person, Ghulam Mohammad Guroo, who had sustained critical injuries in police and CRPF firing at Tengpora Bypass yesterday, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura here. After the word of his death spread in the SKIMS, men and women in large numbers came out and raised slogans against Army and administration. They also shouted pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans. The body of Guroo was taken in a procession to his native place at Maloora Sumbal.

The locals alleged that police had fired teargas shell towards Guroo when he, along with his two brothers, was on his way to Maloora Sumbal in a private vehicle. They said if the claim of police was correct that Guroo had sustained injuries in stone pelting then how come there was a big hole in his head.

In a statement issued to the press, police spokesman said that Guroo had received head injury by a brick or stone while traveling from Letpora to Maloora Sumbal. “The vehicle they were travelling was stoned and stopped by stone-throwers at Tengpora,” the spokesman said. “The victim had received head injuries and shifted to SKIMS, Soura. He breathed his last Thursday afternoon.”