Kangan killing: Accused cop suspended till completion of inquiry

Srinagar: Government Wednesday suspended and arrested a police constable pending inquiry into the killing of Gowhar Ahmad Rather, the 22-year-old youth who was injured in police action in Kangan area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal distirct.
“Consequent upon his prima facie involvement in case FIR No. 18/2018 u/s 307 RPC Selection Grade Constable Gulzar Ahmad (belt no. 422/Gbl) is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry,” reads an order issued by the SSP, an order issued by police reads.
SSP Ganderbal Fayaz Ahmad confirmed that constable Gulzar Ahmad has been placed under suspension in connection with the death of Kangan youth Gowhar Ahmed Rather.
Both police and district administration have ordered separate departmental ‘time bound’ inquiries.
Gowhar had sustained serious firearm head injuries on Monday late afternoon and was taken to SKIMS Soura where he succumbed to injuries on Tuesday.
Locals and eyewitnesses have been claiming that the cop whom they can identify easily fired a bullet into the head of the youth while he was chasing him.
“Gowhar was playing cricket when a group of policemen caught hold of his younger brother. Gowhar tried to save his brother and there was heated argument with a police and him. After argument, Gowhar ran away while the policemen followed him. A cop fired at his head at point blank range. We can identify the cop easily and some of them have already disclosed his identity,” the locals said.
They added that even after the fatal injury received by Gowhar, his younger brother was arrested by police but was released during late hours of Monday.
Kangan continued to be tense while authorities on Wednesday imposed curfew amid e-curfew clamp down to thwart possible protests.