Srinagar, Nov 18 : Expressing gratitude to LG Manoj Sinha for ordering magisterial inquiry into the Hyderpora encounter, Abdul Majeed Bhat, the brother of slain building owner Altaf Ahmed, who was one among four persons killed in the gunfight, Thursday said they were hopeful that probe would be taken to logical end but their “ultimate demand is that the body of Altaf should be handed over to them.”
“I am grateful and also thankful to LG Manoj Sinha for ordering magisterial inquiry into the Hyderpora encounter. I am hopeful that the probe would be taken to a logical conclusion and truth would come to fore under the supervision of LG sahib,” Abdul Majeed told news agency.
He, however, said that their ultimate demand is that police should handover Altaf’s body to his family for last rites. “My brother has little children who want to see their father one last time,” Abdul Majeed said. “So I request LG sahib to intervene and handover us the body of my brother.”
On Monday, four persons including building owner Altaf, Dr Mudasir Gul, were killed in Hyderpora gunfight. Police said Altaf was killed in cross fire while Dr Gul was an OGW, a claim outrightly rejected by his family. The other two slain were identified by police as foreign militant Haider and his associate Amir Ahmed from Banihal. Amir’s family has also contested police claim stating that his son was working in Srinagar to earn his living.
He also stated that “he himself has killed militants and how come his son was branded as a militant.” There has been massive anger across Kashmir over the government’s decision of not handing over the bodies of slain Altaf and Dr Gul to their family members for last rites. On Wednesday, Dr Gul’s wife Humaira along with her 18-month-old daughter staged a protest in press enclave stating that police must come up with a proof to prove her husband was an OGW. If it was proven that Dr Gul was an OGW, “police can kill her along with her daughter and one would raise their voice then.”
The family members of Altaf and Dr Gul continued their protest till late evening yesterday that was later foiled by police by detaining the protestors, who were later released—(KNO)
