Kashmir: Authorities Bar Mehbooba Mufti From Visiting the Family of Slain Youth

Srinagar: Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was confined to her residence on Monday and barred from visiting the family of a South Kashmir youth, Shahid Ahmad, who was killed near a paramilitary checkpost a week ago.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader confirmed to a local news agency that she was not allowed to visit Ahmad's family to offer her condolences. At the same time, she demanded compensation for the family.

An apple picker Ahmad, 20, was killed on October 24 in South Kashmir's Anantnag after Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the J&K police later said, fired to thwart a suspected militant attack. Ahmad's killing, which coincided with Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the region, is the second such casualty near a CRPF checkpost in South Kashmir.

Earlier, another youth Parvaiz Ahmad was shot dead by CRPF personnel on October 7. A PDP leader, who wished not to reveal his name, told Newsclick that Mehbooba has now been stopped from visiting both these families.

However, Mehbooba was allowed to visit the families of several civilians who militants killed in a fresh spate of violence that has hit the region.

The PDP leader alleged that the authorities are being selective and are attempting to "invisibilise" victims of violence perpetrated by the armed forces.

"She was allowed to visit the victims who were killed by the militants but sadly barred from visiting those families who lose their kin in forces' action," he said.

The PDP leader also said that no compensation has been provided to the bereaved family so far and that government should take steps to provide relief to the family of Shahid. The police officials, however, claimed that the PDP president was stopped from visiting the place due to "security reasons".

Political parties, including PDP, have accused authorities in Jammu and Kashmir of using arbitrary force against people in the region to crush dissent and help Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in silencing the opposition.

"Another innocent civilian killed allegedly by CRPF in Shopian today. It's sad that armed forces show little restraint and operate with such impunity. My heartfelt condolences to his family," Mehbooba had tweeted following the civilian killing.

The Kashmir-based political parties had called for an investigation in Ahmad's killing, following which a case vide FIR No.130/2021 was registered in the Zainapora police station.

The National Conference (NC) called the unabated loss of human lives in Kashmir "worrisome and heart-rending". While condemning Ahmad's death, the party said the "vicious cycle of violence that has gripped the valley doesn't augur well for the return of peace."