Clashes erupt in Kangan after injured youth’s demise

Srinagar: Kangan youth who was injured in alleged police action succumbed to his injuries at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura on Tuesday.
Medical Superintendent Dr Farooq Jan while confirming the death of Gowhar Ahmad Rather (22) said that they could save him as he had a fatal head injury.
Rather, according to hospital sources, had suffered a firearm injury in his head yesterday.
While the locals said that Rather was hit by a bullet, Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed that he fell down during a police chase and suffered a head injury after hitting a drain edge.
Locals said Gowhar was playing cricket near Jamia Kangan when entered into a heated argument with a cop who had caught hold of his little brother.
Gowhar according to locals fled from the spot while police chased him. The locals claimed he was hit by a bullet, a claim refuted by police.
The killing sparked massive protest in the area. Forces fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Authorities imposed restrictions in the town to maintain law and order problem.
Reports said that two civilians, identified as Muhammad Amir Lone (22), son of Abdul Hamid Lone of Chatragul and Abdul Rashid Khan of Kangan, were injured in the clashes. Ten policemen also sustained injuries in the clashes. Muhammad Amir Lone according to reports has suffered a serious head injury.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has ordered a departmental enquiry besides a “regular criminal investigation” into the killing of Kangan youth Gowhar Ahmad Rather.
“In a law and order incident at Kangan, on 02.04.2018, one person namely Gowhar Ahmed Rather s/o Ab Rehman Rather was injured who was subsequently admitted at SKIMS Soura. Today, he succumbed to his injury,” said a police spokesman, in a statement. He said a departmental enquiry has been ordered and entrusted to DIG CKR, besides regular criminal investigation, to ascertain the sequence of events and actions related to the incident.
Separately, a magisterial enquiry has been ordered by the DC Ganderbal into the matter as well.
Meanwhile, National Conference leader and MLA Kangan Mian Altaf Ahmed demanded judicial inquiry into the killing of Kangan youth in “unwarranted” police firing in Kangan yesterday.
Expressing sorrow over the death, Mian Altaf termed the police action “unfortunate and unwarranted”.