Srinagar, Nov 18 (KINS) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah staged a sit-in protest in Srinagar on Thursday in support of families seeking return of the mortal remains of those killed in Hyderpora during a gunfight on Monday.
The National Conference vice president along with his party leaders staged the silent protest at a park near his Gupkar residence.
Abdullah said he was not asking for anything except for “the bodies of those buried in Handwara” to be returned to the kin of the victims.
I had decided not to stage a sit-in yesterday. But the way families of slain were treated yesterday evening, I couldn’t control myself and decided to raise my voice, he told reporters during the protest.
The families were first called to PCR and then asked to wait for two, three days. So, I had no option but to join the families in protest.
He said he does not remember when he was part of any such kind of protest.
I am worried personally about this issue. ..we can’t bring lives back. Government has ordered an inquiry and we can wait for that report. My point though this protest is that I want justice for the families who are seeking the bodies, he said
After the Monday night controversial encounter that left four people dead, there has been an outrage and political parties are hitting the roads to stage protests against these killing. Atleast three families have contested the claim of police on Hyderpora “encounter” and claim there kin were innocent civilians.
Earlier in the day, J&K Peoples Conference held a protest demanding return of the bodies of civilians killed in Hyderpora encounter and initiation of a judicial probe by a serving High Court Judge into the matter.
PC chief Sajad Lone has already appealed to the Prime Minister for his personal intervention in ensuring justice be delivered to the families of the victims.
“The LG has ordered a probe by an ADM rank officer, however, we demand a judicial probe by a sitting judge so that neutrality in the investigation is beyond doubt. It is imperative to not only deliver justice but also mitigate all doubts about the impartiality of the probe,” JKPC senior vice president Abdul Gani Vakil said.( KINS)
