Mehbooba demands that the families of the murdered ‘be allowed burial according to their wishes’
Parts of the Kashmir Valley observed a shutdown on Friday for the killing of three “militants” on December 30 and the former Chief Minister and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, wrote a letter to the Deputy Governor of Jammu and Kashmir ( LG) Manoj Sinha and demanded that the families of the dead “be allowed burial according to their wishes.”
Private shops and offices remained closed in the Lal Chowk and Nowhatta shopping malls of Srinagar and Pulwama and Shopian in southern Kashmir. The closure comes days after the families of the three murdered youths affirmed that “they were students and not militants.”
Ms Mufti’s letter read: “I urge you to step in and ensure that these families have the opportunity to perform the last rites according to their wishes. Questions also arise about this meeting and there are conflicting versions and reports from the police and the Army. Justice can only be served if you are prompt and I ask you to launch an impartial investigation into the matter. “
He also asked to rethink the government’s “strategy” not to return the bodies.
‘Inhuman and unacceptable’
This callous decision will only exacerbate your sense of loss and pain. You expect him to reconsider the decision and allow it to be closed. A mother who suffers the sudden and tragic death of her beloved child should not be deprived of the last chance to see his face. Nor does he deserve to have to beg for his body. This is simply inhumane and unacceptable, ”he said.
National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi also raised the issue with LG.
MP Masoodi spoke with J&K LG on Thursday and expressed his distress at the reports surrounding Wednesday’s meeting. LG Sinha ensured an impartial investigation into the matter, “party leader Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Family claims could not be verified: Police
A police spokesman said claims by the parents of the murdered Aijaz Maqbool Ganai that he had gone to a university team to fill out a form “could not be verified”.
“Contrary to claims, verified digital evidence revealed and corroborated that Aijaz and Ather, another militant, had gone to Hyderpora in Srinagar and from there to the meeting place,” police said.
Police said the third young man, Zubair, had gone first to Pulwama, then Anantnag and then Shopian before heading to the meeting place.
“Background checks revealed that Aijaz and Ather were field workers and provided logistical support to the terrorists. The background and checks also showed that they were both radically inclined and aided terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, now called the Resistance Front group, “police said.
Police were “investigating the case from every possible angle,” the spokesman added.
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