Srinagar: The altercation that consumed another Kashmiri life on Monday evening began when soldiers of an Indian Army patrol allegedly snatched mobile phones from over a dozen youths during random frisking of commuters in the Nowpora village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam. Aggrieved locals alleged that the soldiers demanded that they show them the photo galleries on their phones, apparently for the soldiers to check if there were any pictures or videos of militants.
Within minutes, the agitated youths began pelting stones at the army, sparking clashes. What led to the escalation in protests was a video showing the army and policemen turning some youths into human shields in order to protect themselves from stones being pelted at them during the frisking operation. The video went viral on social media, provoking further protests and violent clashes.
In response, witnesses said the army fired directly at the protesters, resulting in bullet injuries to two civilians. One of them was identified as Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, a local, who was declared brought dead at a hospital where he was rushed for treatment.
Witnesses said that Ajaz was among more two dozen people lined up by the army for frisking. One of his friends said it has become a routine for the forces over the past few years to check mobile phones of locals and search for militancy-related photos or videos. According to rights activists, if any such content is found on any mobile, the owner is subjected to harassment, beatings or even arbitrary detention.
Another youth injured in the army firing on Monday and identified as Rayees Ahmad Shan (a tractor driver by profession) has been referred to a Srinagar hospital for treatment.
PDP vice-president, Muhammad Sartaj Madni demanded an FIR against the patrolling party of 9 Rashtriya Rifles and an impartial inquiry to probe the circumstances in which a youth was killed and another injured in Kulgam on Monday evening. “It is tragic that civilians of my village are losing their lives for no fault of theirs. I demand immediate and strict action against those who are directly involved in the civilian killing,” said Madni.