Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police has arrested 20 persons in connection with the lynching of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) during the intervening night of June 23 and 24 on the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr outside historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.
One of the accused Sajjad Gilkar, who had joined militancy since he went missing from June 29 was killed in an encounter with security forces in central Kashmir district of Badgam on July 12, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muneer Ahmad Khan told a crowded press conference here Monday.
To a question whether chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who addressed the congregation at the Jamia Masjid on that night will also be questioned, IGP said if need arise everyone will be questioned.
However, he said, the investigation is still going on and arrest of more persons could not be ruled out.
Giving details about the lynching of the DSP Mohammad Ayub Pandit, Mr Khan said the officer in civic from intelligence wing of the police was on duty for the security and safety of devotees, including Mirwaiz, who had come to offer prayers on the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr.
However, when the officer came out of the mosque after inspecting othermen, a group of hooligans came out raising slogans in favour of Zakir Moosa and were to receive Mirwaiz who was to come for prayers.
When asked was the attack on police officer pre-planned, he said four of the miscreants who had come out from the mosque saw the officer and asked him to show identity card which he refused. The miscreants started beating and hackling the officer, the IGP said.
To a question why other police personnel who were also on duty alongwith Mr Pandit did not react when the incident took place, the IGP said there was no dereliction of duty by the policemen.
There were various versions about the incident as some said that one person was injured who was taken to hospital while another version was that some people attack a person.
We came to know about the lynching of DSP in the morning only after his body was identified by him son, Mr Khan said.
The police chief in Kashmir said the lynching of a person was for the first time in the Kashmir and it was against the against the Kashmiri culture and ethos. However, it was satisfactory and encouraging that the lynching of Mr Pandit was condemned by everyone.
Since the incident was very serious police registered a case and initiated investigation, he said adding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constitute.
People came forward with the information which led us to right line of investigation, he said adding by the cooperation of general public we were able to investigate the incident expeditiously and affectively.
He said initially after getting the clues, we arrested three main accused in this gruesome act and after talking them during their custodial questioning they led us to other accused persons who were involved.
He said the weapon used for the crime “ Iron rod”, was recovered. The officer was hit in the head with the rod.
We also recovered the damaged pistol of the officer, his identity card and mobile phone from the accused, the IGP said.
Mr Khan said the DSP fired in self defence when he was surrounded by the miscreants during which three persons were injured.
Mr Khan said the investigation led to arrest of 20 accused persons arrested so far.
Investigation is going on right direction, he said adding some more arrests are expected and some more evidence would be collected. We are hopeful to complete the investigation within the stipulated time and the case will be produced before judiciary.
To a question if police will question Mirwaiz since according to police the miscreants who were arrested were raising slogans in favour of Mirwaiz and Zakir Moosa, Mr Khan said whenever and wherever we find it it fit to question anybody in connection with this case we will do it.
He thanked the police officers who helped to crack the case.
Giving details about Sajjad Gilkar, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in Badgam on July 12, Mr Khan said he had 14 cases registered against him, including stabbing cases.
He said Gilkar, who was one of the main accused in the lynching case, was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) thrice before June 23.
“Gilkar was a militant long before taking up arms. He was involved in many stone pelting cases, besides stabbing cases. It was only on July 29, the police came to know that he was missing after he missed his hearing in a local court in a stabbing case. After several days, we came to know though our investigation that he had joined militant ranks,” he said.
