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SIT to probe Bhaderwah killing, curfew continues for 3rd day

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 5/19/2019 10:26:40 AM

# 3 held for post-killing violence: DC # Kishtwar observes bandh

BHADERWAH, May 18: A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted on Saturday to probe into the death of a person in firing in Nalathi village, on the intervening night of May 15 and 16 which triggered violent protests, forcing authorities to impose an indefinite curfew in the communally-sensitive town, officials said.
“A five-member SIT headed by Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Raj Singh Gouria has been constituted to probe the killing. The SIT members joined by the FSL team reached the spot to advance the probe. However, the situation is improving. Town remained peaceful,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda Shabir Ahmad Malik said.
In the meanwhile, curfew continued in Bhaderwah for the third day in the town while three persons were arrested for post killing violence. Deputy Commissioner Doda, S Doifode said a number of non-locals were found involved in stone-pelting following the incident and three of them were arrested so far.
In the adjoining district, responding to call for shutdown by Kishtwar Jamia Masjid Imam, shops and business establishments belonging to majority community remained closed in Kishtwar town in protest against Bhaderwah killing.
In Bhaderwah, earlier Gouria, along with other members of the SIT, and a team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the scene of the incident at Kachi Nalthi village and collected fresh evidence. “We are at the scene as part of the investigation after the setting up of the SIT although the probe of the case has already started soon after the incident,” he said. Gouria said a 12-bore gun, which is believed to have been used in the killing, was seized and sent to FSL Jammu for examination. Eight persons were arrested in connection with the killing so far.
With regard to post-killing violence in Bhaderwah town, DC Doifode said, “All those involved in violent protests are being identified. Many non-locals were found to be involved in stone-pelting. Three persons have been arrested. More arrests are expected in the coming days.” “Police have been directed to collect details of non-locals including students, labourers, servants and businessmen who are living as tenants to keep a watch on their activities,” he added.
DC said the curfew continued in the town as a precautionary measure although the situation remained by and large peaceful and there was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere. “The situation is well under-control,” he said.
The army along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police remained deployed in strength in the town especially in the sensitive localities to maintain law and order, officials said.
In curfew bound Bhaderwah, media persons faced lot of inconvenience. “Curfew passes were not issued to media persons by the administration, this is causing hindrance in discharge of professional duties,” few media persons said. On the other hand, few members of the family claimed that none from the administration or representative of state government had visited affected family so far. However yesterday, the DC stated that he had visited the victim’s family.
Meanwhile, shops and business establishments belonging to majority community remained closed in Kishtwar town as a protest against killing of Shah. The 'Imam' (the one who leads prayers) of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar had called for a 'bandh'. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in the town as a precautionary measure, the officials said. Yesterday Kishtwar town had observed bandh in response to the call given by the Sanatan Dharam Sabha (SDS) and its affiliated wings in protest against the killings of BJP and RSS leaders and police failure to eliminate the militants involved in the crime.
Mobile internet services also remained suspended across Doda district for the third day on Saturday.