Dozens injured in protests against Shahid’s killing in Handwara

Handwara: The killing of a student in an alleged fake encounter here in Handwara sparked violent protest while protesters torched an official vehicle of the district administration Kupwara.Hurriyat Conference(G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has condemned the killing and accused New Delhi of carrying out what he called a systematic genocide in Kashmir.
Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Tarathpora Handwara who according to his family had gone missing was killed in an alleged fake encounter in Hafrada forests of Handwara.
His killing sparked anti-India protests in Handwara while people staged a massive protest demanding a registration of FIR against the army troops involved in the incident.
Protesters according to eyewitnesses torched an official vehicle besides damaging two other vehicles of deputy commissioner Kupwara’s escort.
Reports said that police fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the agitated people. Reports said that dozens of protesters suffered injuries during clashes with government forces. Locals said that police used tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse the protesters. During the clashes three persons suffered pellet injuries including a girl, they said.
To pacify the protesters, government issued No Objection Certificate in favour of slain youth. “It is certified that Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Payeen was not involved in any kind of subversive/criminal activities as per the available records of this Police Station,” the NOC issued by SHO Police Station Vilgam and signed by District Magistrate Kupwara reads.
Soon after the district administration assured the protesting civilians that an FIR under section 302 CrPc would be filed against army, locals offered the funeral prayers of the slain and agreed to bury him.
Reports said that administration after an hour long meeting with respectable citizens agreed to file an FIR against army under section 302 CrPc.
Meanwhile Syed Ali Geelani has strongly condemned the killing of Handwara youth, Shahid Bashir by government forces and said that despite authority’s rhetoric about their concern for youth community, New Delhi and their henchmen in state are carrying systematic genocide under well thought out plan.
Geelani ridiculed authorities for their tall claims of providing ‘’pen and computers to students’’ & said that it is just a political gimmick and added that same authorities declared killing of 12th class student Shahid Bashir as ‘’marvelous achievement’’ for their forces.
Syed Ali Geelani while referring to thrashing incident in Degree college Islamabad and search operations in Sub-Jail Baramulla, said that, on mere pretext our youth are subjected to humiliation, inhuman assault and beaten to pulp.
Lashing at New Delhi authorities, Syed Ali Geelani added that they are engaging their coercive and arbitrary measures to cow down our spirits, thus aiming at to create grave yard like silence in state.
Referring to statement of army General Huda, Syed Ali Geelani said, that it serves an eye -opener for Delhi, substantiates our claim and carries a message that arbitrary and coercive measures are no solution to Kashmir conflict.
We will never budge from our stand, said Syed Ali Geelani and hailing the resolve and resilience of people, added that no power on earth can deter us from pursuing our cherished mission for right to self-determination.
Rejecting any solution of Kashmir issue within ambit of Indian constitution, Syed Ali Geelani said that authorities in Delhi had approached and invoked UNO for the settlement of Kashmir issue. He was referring to statement of Sushma Suraj, wherein she had said that Kashmir issue can be sorted out within frame work of Indian constitution, however Syed Ali Geelani while rejecting the statement, said it is far from reality and delivered from the mighty pedestal of arrogance.
He added that for the lasting solution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the New Delhi must shun state violence and uphold International law, respect and adhere UN charter and especially the UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.