SRINAGAR: The youth killed by government forces in Batamaloo has been identified as Sajad Hussain Sheikh. A resident of Chandoosa Baramulla, Sajad according to locals was shot dead by BSF personnel when they were passing from the area. However locals added that there was no stone pelting in the area. “It was a target killing as we heard a gun shots and youth lying in pool of blood on road,” Bilal Hussain, a resident told Kashmir Life.
Body of slain youth Sajad Ahmad taken by procession (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
However Police said they are investigating the situation in which the Baramulla youth was killed in Rek Chowk of Batamaloo. “It will take us time,” City Police Chief Imtiaz Ahmad Parray said.
“People are saying BSF killed the boy but the fact is that neither there was any deployment nor is BSF either with district police or with Police Control Room,” Parray said. “We also know even there was no stone pelting.”
Mother and other relatives of Sajad wailing over his death (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
Police even issued a formal statement. “Police is collecting the details and is looking into the circumstances under which a person identified as Sajad Hussain Sheikh of Chandoosa Baramulla at present S D Colony Srinagar got killed,” the statement said. “The District Police administration Srinagar has informed that there was no deployment in the area. The matter is being investigated.”
Residents in Batamaloo said the slain youth’s family was living in the locality for nearly two decades. He was a matriculate. They identify him as Sajad Hussain Laway.
Realtive of Sajad praying with blood soaked hands (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
One resident said he heard two vehicles were apparently moving towards Sheikh Dawood Colony and had lost track. They saw a group of youth and felt threatened and opened fire. He did not known if the vehicles were attacked. The olive green vehicles were carrying BSF, he said.
People offering funeral prayers of slain Sajad Ahmad (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
After the killing was reported, the news forced a closure of Batamaloo. The police did use tear smoke shells to chase people away. “Right now, Batamaloo is clam but tense,” another resident said. “Police ave also moved out and is stationed in Bus Stand.”
Amid sobs, tears and slogans, Sajad was laid to rest at martyrs graveyard, Danderkha.
