His brother Javed Ahmad Dar said he, too, was taken to police station and detained for several hours. He was released after he felt unwell
Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A couple has alleged that the police killed their 23-year-old son in custody in Sopore town in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The death triggered protests and outrage in Kashmir with many demanding a probe into the incident.
The police, however, said that the deceased, Irfan Ahmad Dar, was an overground worker (OGW) of militants who tried to escape from police custody. They said his body was later found in a village near Sopore town. The police did not reveal how he was killed.
The family said that Irfan was innocent and denied his involvement with militants.
According to local media reports, Irfan was picked up by men of the Special Operations Group from his shop located near his home in Sidiq colony of the town Tuesday early afternoon.
His brother Javed Ahmad Dar said he, too, was taken to police station and detained for several hours. He was released after he felt unwell.
Next morning, the family came to know that their son Irfan was dead.
The police claimed that it recovered hand grenades from Irafan’s possession after he was detained.
The police press statement said: “During the course of investigation, a police team visited Chairdaji area of Tujjar-Sharief along with OGW for effecting some more recovery on the disclosure of the OGW… while taking advantage of darkness and terrain, Irfan, whom the police have noted as an OGW managed to escape… During search, the body of OGW was found near Stone Quarry of Tujjar-Sharief.”
However, the family refuted the police claims that they gave shelter to militants at their home. The family said they had CCTV footage of the past few weeks of their home and shop. Deccan Herald quoted Irfan’s brother as saying, “Nothing incriminating was found by the police from him or during the search of our house. If it is proved my brother or any other family member was involved in any unlawful activity we are ready to accept any punishment.”
The killing triggered a massive public outrage in Kashmir. Politicians and activists condemned the killing and raised questions at the police version of the incident. People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone also raised questions over police claims.
Sopore incident just doesn’t add up. They have done a bad job even at inventing a story. The guilty need to be punished.
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) September 16, 2020
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought intervention of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in the case.
The administration can’t possibly win back the confidence of the people if “encounters” like Shopian or suspicious deaths like Sopore are allowed to pass without the facts being established & guilt, when determined, fully punished. @manojsinha_ must intervene in both these cases.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 16, 2020
Meanwhile the Kashmir police chief Thursday announced that an inquiry into the matter would be conducted by the district magistrate of Baramulla District.
