SRINAGAR: At least two youth were injured and a man was allegedly beaten to death outside Srinagar’s grand mosque when Shab-e-Qadr prayers were under way, reported said. Police have taken cognizance of the incidents but details are hazy and confusing.
Details collected from various people who are still in Jamia Masjid said a group of youth found some persons suspiciously moving around. They were in civvies. Mistaking them as cops, they were confronted by them. As they failed to explain their presence, one fled from the spot and another was caught by the group of youth. As the arguments got into blows, he pulled a pistol from the holster and fired at the mob. Reports suggested that two to three youth from the mob were hit by bullets.
Reports said one youth received a bullet in leg and another in his stomach. They were rushed to SMHS hospital but no more details are available.
This infuriated the youth and they caught him. Soon, he was beaten to death. It was not immediately known if the person was within the premises of the Jamia or in main Nowjatta Chowk
Another report identified the injured youth as Danish Mir, Mudasir Ahmad and Sajad Ahmad Bhat. The same report quoted some police officials saying that the slain was not a police man. Identity of the slain armed man is still not known. But locals believe he was from some security agency.
After the incident, reinforcements were rushed to the spot and there was a report of firing in air which created momentary disturbances. There was tear smoke shelling as well.
The prayers are going on in the Jamia Masjid and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq is leading the prayers.
“We are in the process of ascertaining the identity of the slain man,” a police officer talking on the condition of not being identified said. “I am sure that he is not a cop but we are working to know who he actually is.”
Terming the incident as “unfortunate”, the officer said the slain man was “reportedly trying photographing the youth which caught the attention of the mob”. He said the body was removed from the spot and process initiated to ascertain the identity. The officer said the boys injured in the incident are stable.
(This copy was mildly edited for clarity)
