Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today condemned the killing of a youth in central Kashmir Budgam district, demanding responsibility be fixed immediately and the guilty punished.
“I strongly condemn the killing of 15-year-old Suhail Ahmed in an incident of firing on unarmed protesters by paramilitary forces in Narbal. I express profound grief and sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the family for their inconsolable loss,” Omar said in a statement issued here.
The National Conference (NC) working president said it was “evident” that there was “disproportionate use of force” on the protesters.
“It was evident that there was indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force that resulted in multiple youth receiving bullet injuries and young Suhail losing his life after succumbing to his injuries,” he said.
The former chief minister said there can be no condemnation strong enough to condemn such a tragic incident. “Responsibility should be fixed immediately and the guilty should be identified and punished. We have seen (Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) Sahab say that he would be responsible for any HR violations and that he would not permit a violation of set standard procedures for the security and paramilitary forces.
“Both in the case of the Tral youth's killing and now in Narbal - Mufti Sahab's words have proven to be hollow as the SOPs were brazenly violated while the Chief Minister continues to maintain a conspicuously apologetic stand,” he said.
Omar said Sayeed should “not only come forth with answers on this unfortunate tragedy in Narbal today but also about the killing of the youth in Tral” The NC working president prayed for the recovery of the injured youth, saying their welfare and well-being was the state Government's responsibility and that the best possible medical care should be ensured at all costs by the Government.
The youth was killed and two others injured in firing by the CRPF today during protests in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir where a strike has been called by the hardline Hurriyat faction against the killing of two youths in Tral earlier this week.
