By News Agency of Kashmir
Seelu, Sopore : Protest demonstrations continued in Baramulla district of North Kashmir for the second consecutive day today against the mysterious disappearance of a local youth on Tuesday. Police said that it has attached four cops and inquiry has been initiated against them.
A local youth Farooq Ahmed Sheikh drowned in a river on Tuesday sparking violent protest demonstrations in Seelu village of Sopore. People alleged that he was picked up by the some cops and thrown into the river, which led to his death. His body was yet to be recovered by the police.
However, police denies the charges and claimed that a police team raided an orchard, where some youth were gambling. “On seeing police the accused ran and jumped into the nearby river”, an official spokesman said adding, “One of them Farooq Ahmed Shah was however drowned”.
Despite the clarification given by the police, locals continued their protest in the area for the second consecutive day today. Thousands of people of Seelu Sopore and adjoining villages on Wednesday continued their massive protest demonstrations, demanding whereabouts of Farooq Ahmed Sheikh.
Chanting anti-police and anti-government slogans, thousands of residents termed the police claim of drowning youth as concocted and “baseless” drama hatched by police to hide their involvement in the drowning of the youth.
According to family inmates, Farooq was possessing Rs.2.5 lakh when cops swooped on him as he was inspecting orchards.
“After thrashing Farooq they abducted him and might have looted cash which he possessed,” said his family members.
“To save their skin, they might have killed him and dumped his body in the canal”, they said adding, “The drowning story is deliberately being spread to hide the facts and shield the culprits”.
The angry protesters which included children and women blocked the Kupwara –Sopore Highway early morning .The protesters burnt tyres and blocked the road throughout the day. There was complete shutdown in area and traffic remained off the roads.
“Farooq belonged to a well off family of area .He was an `A’ class contractor and was inspecting his orchard at the time when the cops raided the area”, protesters shouted adding that Farooq was a professional swimmer and how could had he drown?”
“If the police claim is to be taken into consideration whey attempt was not made to save his life at that time”, they questioned adding that the family was informed after two days of the incident.
Most residents of area told media persons that he was abducted because of the money he possessed.
“If he is alive please show me his face, if he is dead then gives me body for burial,” wailed the mother of Farooq with lump in her throat.
“See these killer cops are maligning the social image of my son who was pious,” rued mother, as she fainted down.
Meanwhile, the search for the body continued for second consecutive day. Navy personnel along with volunteers were busy searching the canal to fish out body of said youth.
“The policemen should have started search at the very first day and if a civilian had drowned before their eyes,” volunteers said, with thousands of people anxiously waiting on bank of canal.
Meanwhile the four cops who raided the area in civvies on Sunday have been attached with their duties.
Four policemen Parvaiz, Tariq, Singh and the driver have been attached.
Talking to News Agency of Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Anand Jain said that the party which raided the area is being questioned.
“We are investigating the matter, the cops and other locals are being questioned. All four cops have been attached with their duties to District police lines Baramulla”.