Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti condemn killing of teenager in Budgam

The National Conference (NC) working president said it was “evident” that there was “disproportionate use of force” on the protesters.

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Mufti said that it is a matter of grave concern that Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) was not followed while dealing with the protesters. “Now that FIR has been lodged in the tragic incident, I am sure the investigation would be taken to the logical conclusion and action would be taken against the forces personnel involved in the incident,” Mehbooba said in a statement in Srinagar.

“We expect the command and control of the forces to take note of it and ensure strict adherence to SOP not only during normal situations but during any kind of protests as well,” the PDP president said.

“I am confident that the investigations would be taken to the logical conclusion so that the same acts as a deterrent against such situations in future,” she added.

She expressed confidence that the investigation would not end up as “no action being taken on the matter” as used to
happen in the past in such tragic situations.

Also, Omar said, “It was evident that there was indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force that resulted in multiple youth receiving bullet injuries and young Suhail losing his life after succumbing to his injuries,” he said.

The former chief minister said there can be no condemnation strong enough to condemn such a tragic incident.

“Responsibility should be fixed immediately and the guilty should be identified and punished. We have seen (Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) Sahab say that he would be responsible for any HR violations and that he would not permita violation of set standard procedures for the security and paramilitary forces.

“Both in the case of the Tral youth’s killing and now in Narbal – Mufti Sahab’s words have proven to be hollow as the SOPs were brazenly violated while the Chief Minister continues to maintain a conspicuously apologetic stand,” he said.

Omar said Sayeed should “not only come forth with answers on this unfortunate tragedy in Narbal today but also about the killing of the youth in Tral”

The NC working president prayed for the recovery of the injured youth, saying their welfare and well-being was the state Government’s responsibility and that the best possible medical care should be ensured at all costs by the Government.

The youth was killed and two others injured in firing by the CRPF Saturday during protests in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir where a strike has been called by the hardline Hurriyat faction against the killing of two youths in Tral earlier this week.