Srinagar: Announcing that actions of moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq are being investigated, Director General of Police (DGP), Dr SP Vaid, today said time has come to stop protecting Hurriyat leaders in Kashmir. Dr Vaid, participating in a debate on a private channel last evening on the lynching to death of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) outside the historic Jamia Masjid on June 22 night, said leaders like Mirwaiz don’t deserve to be protected and his actions are being investigated. DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandith was beaten to death outside the Jamia Masjid, stronghold of Mirwaiz, who addressed congregation every Friday.
Dr Vaid said Pandith, in civics, was posted at the Masjid for security of devotees, who later killed him. Three people were injured when the police officers opened fire in self defence after being attacked by the mob, when he was clicking photos of devotees. Dr Vaid added that time has come when police should stop protecting Hurriyat leaders. This was revealed in a tweet by the channel which was later re-tweeted by former Chief Minister and working president of the main opposition National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah.
The tweet reads “J&K DGP @spvaid on @IndiaToday TV: “Leaders like Mirwaiz don’t deserve to be protected; his actions are being investigated.” J&K DGP @spvaid says on @IndiaToday’s newsroom, “Time has come when J&K police should stop protecting Hurriyat leaders.” Police has so far arrested five accused and also identified seven others in the lynching of Pandith. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed for speedy investigation in the case, police said. Meanwhile Additional Superintendent of Police of the area has been shifted.
