KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Nov 30: Bodies of slain ‘militants’, killed in Monday’s shootout at Qamarwari here, were taken to their respective native places amid massive protest demonstrations.
Pall of gloom descended on Bandipora when the body of Zahoor Ahmad Hajam, 26, son of Ghulam Qadir Hajam of Hajam Muhalla Bandipora was brought from Srinagar after he was identified by his relatives. Hundreds of people, beating their chests, assembled outside Zahoor’s residence. Complete shutdown was observed in the area. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road.
A large number of people carried out a protest march from Nabirpora to DC office Bandipora and raise pro-Islam slogans.
When Zahoor’s body was brought to his native place this afternoon, massive protests erupted in the area. His body was, in a procession, taken to Mazar-e Shauda Nasu Bandipora where he was laid to rest at around 3:30Pm. Hundreds of people offered his funeral prayers and bid adieu to him with numb eyes.
Zahoor, a graduate from Islamia College Srinagar, was working as a teacher at Kausaria High School Chak Reshipora, Bandipora up to October 2010.
‘He was innocent’
“He wanted to study further and had decided to pursue masters from Kashmir University,” said his father, Ghulam Qadir.
He said that Zahoor had shifted his base from Bandipora to his aunt’s place at Mala Bagh here to prepare for KU entrance examination and also prepare for civil services.
“I was coming out of my home this morning when I saw a large number of people gathering outside the local mosque,” said Qadir. “When I inquired, I was stunned to know that my son had been killed in firing at Srinagar.”
He said that his son was innocent and he had no connection with militants.
Zahoor’s cousin, Mubashir Ahmad said that Zahoor was also doing a computer course.
“He had gone to Srinagar a month ago to submit admission form at Kashmir University,” he said. “He had briefly visited his home on Eid.”
According to Mubashir, Zahoor had on Monday morning at around 10:25 AM informed his cousin on phone that he was on his way to Bandipora to apply for teacher post in state education department.
“When he did not reach home till late in the evening, we tried his mobile number several times but he did not receive our call,” Mubashir said.
He said that he was a pious person and would impart free Quranic education to orphan children at a local Madrassa.
“He was arrested four years ago, but was released after he was given a clean chit,” he said. “He was not a militant.”
Zahoor’s family members said that after their relatives identified Zahoor’s body, they staked claim for it.
“But the police initially refused to hand over the body and instead asked us to tell shopkeepers to open their shops,” they said.
Arshad BashirMeanwhile, body of another youth – Peerzada Arshad Bashir of Al-Safa colony Sopore - who was killed in yesterday’s encounter with police, was also taken to his native place.
According to reports, word of Arshad’s killing spread like a wild fire in the apple town, triggering massive protests in the area.
A pal of gloom descended on Al-Safa colony when the body of Arshid was brought there. Hundreds of people carried out a protest march up to Achabal. They were raising pro-Islam slogans and calling the Qamarwari encounter “fake”. They also demanded high level probe into the incident and demanded stern action against the errant cops.
Arshid’s body was, later, taken, in a procession, to local Mazar-e Shauda, falling between Achabal and Al-Safa colony, where he was laid to rest.
According to the reports, complete shutdown was observed in the area in protest against the killing.
‘My son was not a militant’
“Police showed me his (Arshad’s) identity card and mobile,” said his father, Bashir Ahmad. “He was not a militant. He had gone to Srinagar to submit examination form at Bemina Degree College.”
Arshid’s uncle said that he was a student of B.Com Ist year at Bemina Degree College.
“He was on his way to Qamarwari on a bike with one of his friends when some militants opened fire at police,” he said. “In retaliation, police fired indiscriminately killing innocent youth including Arshid, and later dubbed them as militants.”
Ridiculing the state police claim that Arshid had fired at police with a pistol, he said that he possessed a valid election card, which the police returned to them on Monday evening.
“He (Arshid) was killed in cold blood by police,” said his family members.
‘Cold blooded murder’
Senior National Conference (NC) leader and Member Parliament (MP), Sharif-ud-Din Shariq, who is a close relative of one of the slain youth, Arshid Bashir, termed the killing of the three youth as “cold blooded murder”.
“The policemen involved in the firing should be arrested forthwith and murder case registered against them for killing the innocent youth,” Shariq told media persons. “I will raise the issue with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah so that the guilty are brought to book.”
Ridiculing the place claim, he termed the encounter as “entirely baseless”.
“Recovery of Voter Identity card and Kashmir University roll number slip from Arshad Bashir is the vivid evidence of his being innocent,” he said. “If police can go to the extent of spilling the innocent blood and brand the youth as militants then God save the hapless people of this state.”
Waseem AhmadMeanwhile, body of the third youth killed in Monday’s encounter, Waseem Raja, 24, was also taken to his native village of Seer Jagir in Sopore. According to his family members, he was missing for the last two months.
Waseem’s brother, Aijaz Ahmad Gooru said that Waseem had completed his graduation two years ago from Degree College Sopore.
“He dramatically went missing before two months,” he said. “We tried our best to locate him but to no avail.”
He said after failing to trace Waseem, they had filed a missing report in police station Sopore.
“He never went to Pakistan,” he said. “We don’t know who he met and where he went after he disappeared.”
According to reports, it was learnt that Waseem was a surrendered militant and was trying to join the militant ranks again.
Hundreds of people offered his funeral prayers before he was laid to rest at a local Mazar-e Shauda this morning amid pro-Islam slogans.
‘They acted as Jaish module’Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda, today said that the slain three ‘militants’ were working as “Jaish module’.
“The three militants were working as a Jaish module, which was headed by Waseem Raja Guru and the rented accommodation of Arshid Bashir was used as a hideout,” he said. “The module was also involved in the killing of two CRPF men on November 10, 2010 in Pattan.”
Giving description about Wasim, he said Waseem had gone for training across border in 1991 and returned in 1994.
“He was working as Battalion Commander of JeM outfit in Sopore. He was associated with JeM commander, Shoaib alias Yasir resident of Pakistan. He was booked under PSA in 2007 and was released in 2008. He restarted his activities in 2008. He was categorized as ‘A’ Category JeM militant in 2009,” Khuda said.
About Zahoor Ahmad, Khuda said he was a local trained militant affiliated with Al-Badar outfit.
“His was working under code name of Tanveer /Imran. He was arrested on August 23, 2004 by 15 RR, at Hospital Road Bandipora. One Pistol with magazine and seven rounds were recovered from his possession,” he said. “He was also detained under PSA for a period of one and a half year in 2004. Zahoor was also found involved in instigating public for agitation in 2008.”
Referring to Arshid Bashir, the DGP said Arshid had close links with militant organizations and his house was raided in 2009 by Police and Army for the presence of Jaish Mohammad militants.
“He had developed liaison with JeM militant, Waseem Raja Guru, in 2008-2009 and was seen with him off and on,” he said.
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