SRINAGAR: As the security forces have toughened up their campaign to contain nearly six week old unrest in Kashmir, a young college teacher was overnight killed while he was in the custody of the Army in Khrew area outside Srinagar, sparking off fresh protests and a strong plea from the mainstream opposition parties to end “carnage”.
The 27-year-old Shabir Ahmad Mongu was among dozens of residents the soldiers took from their homes during nocturnal raids in Khrew area but was returned dead early on Thursday.
“His body which had visible and deep torture marks on the face and chest was brought to the sub-district hospital at (neighbouring) Pampore and handed over to the family about one hour later,” said locals.
Police said the incident is being investigated into but claimed that Mongu died in a clash between the locals and the Army.
Defence spokesman Colonel Nitin N. Joshi said that the cause of the death was being investigated. Lt. Gen. Satish Dua, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, expressed his regrets over the death of the civilian and said that the Army would hold inquiry into the incident on its own. When asked the soldiers allegedly damaged houses and private properties and thrashed inmates at Khrew, he said.
