More than six civilian killings in a span of three days in various districts of Kashmir during anti-insurgency operations and sometimes at the time of peaceful situation have given rise to a new wave of anxiety and disquiet all across Kashmir. Despite assurance from law-enforcement agencies about taking special care in safeguarding lives and properties of civilians, loss of innocent lives goes on unabated. The large number of injuries inflicted on protesters and death of civilians at various places in different districts of Kashmir is a cause of concern.
Recent death of one civilian Gowhar Ahmad Rather at Kangan in Ganderbal district has created a situation of deep anxiety and uncertainty yet again. This 22 year old was a student and had shouldered the responsibility of family in the initial stage of life. Gowhar was a ray of hope for his family and relatives, but unfortunately he was hit by a bullet by J&K Police. Earlier J&K Police claimed that he fell down during a police chase and suffered a head injury after hitting a drain edge. However doctors at SKIMS, Soura Srinagar where Gowhar was brought in a critical condition, stated that he had received a bullet in the head which proved fatal.
Gowhar was shot from a close range by local policemen namely Gulzar Ahmad, eyewitnesses say. When Gowhar was shot situation was completely normal. Gowhar met me before an hour of this incident, when I hugged him he told me I was in playground playing cricket, I replied lets have a cup of tea at my home in return he replied not possible this time because I have to offer the Nimaz and have an important work at home and he left. After offering Nimaz he was moving towards his home and when he stepped on the National Highway, he saw police beating his younger brother. Cops were dragging him inside the police station. Gowhar began to run towards police in order to rescue his younger brother. However in the mean time a police RAKSHAK vehicle reached the spot and driver jumped out of it and without any warning fired three shots at Gowhar. One bullet hit Gowhar in the head and he fell there.
People gathered there tried to rescue Gowhar but they failed. After firing the shooter (Policemen) dragged Gowhar towards the vehicle. People however rescued Gowhar and took him to hospital. Gowhar was neither a stone pelter nor a militant.
At hospital doctors changed their statement. First they stated he has been hit by a bullet then later said no bullet injury was there apparntly under the police pressure. However following public pressure they gave out the true report.
This is my Valley where a youth is on ventilator in ICU and police and government are trying to shield a culprit.
Curfew and restrictions were imposed when Gowhar succumbed. People did not accept the curfew and restriction. Clashes erupted, dozens were injured, and strikes were observed. Funerals were offered at various places. About 8:30 in the evening body of Gowhar reached his home in an ambulance. Everyone was crying. Thousands of people were at his residence to offer the funeral prayers. Parents and relatives of Gowhar had decided to offer the funeral in morning time at 10 AM because it was not possible for every relative, friend etc to reach there during night hours and offer funeral prayers. Here again Police refused the requests of locality and stopped people from joining the last rites.
Now an FIR has been registered against the accused policeman. The truth is that the FIR against Police means nothing. Over the past three decades, hundreds of cases of human rights excesses are pending against police and other security agencies yet none of them has been acted upon.
Sajad Farooq Rather
(BA.LLB )
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