Shah Hilal
ISLAMABAD
People of Halmullah Gawas in Kapran Verinag in South Kashmir took to streets on Saturday to protest the death of a 55 year old man. They alleged that he died soon after the army raided his house Friday night.
Abdul Gani Naik had suffered heart attack, locals said.
Locals alleged that soldiers had carried out a raid on his house during late last night hours. He was taken to nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.
“Army raided two house of Abdul Gani Naik and Bashir Ahmad Thoker around 12 in the last night,” Gulzar Ahmad, neighbour of deceased Naik told Kashmir Life. “Later, we called the SHO concerned who took custody of Naik’s body around 1:30 AM. Naik had died after army raid.”
As the news about his death spread in the area, villagers took to roads and are held anti–army protests.
Locals said the police after full filling the legal and medical formalities of the deceased had handed over the body to the family but they initially refused to take its possession. They, later, took his possession and laid him to rest.
Hundreds of people later came on the streets. Some of them were carrying sticks. The mob was visibly charged. Later, some of the protestor resorted to stone pelting as well.
The protesters are demanding arrest of the army men who carried out the night raid on the house of the deceased.
Authorities, witnesses said, have deployed huge contingents of forces in the area to keep the situation under control.
When contacted, Srinagar based defence spokesperson, N N Joshi, told Kashmir Life, “I will get back to you once I get the details.”
