BY SHABIR IBN YUSUF

SRINAGAR, Feb 5 (Sunatimes)- Huge protests have rocked Handwara town in Indian administered Kashmir after Indian troops murdered a 12th class student during night, residents said on Saturday.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister deplores the killing and promised open inquiry into the killing as police register murder case against army and regrets the killing.

Reports from the town said Manzoor Ahmad Magray alias Bilal, son of Ghulam Muhammad Magray, a resident in Gund Chogal district who was 12^th class drop out was shot dead by troopers of 4 Para brigade as he was heading to his home.

Police team who reached the spot have taken the body to Chogal hospital mortuary. The police have also ascertained the identification of the body and a postmortem was carried out.

In midday, the police took the body and handed over to the family, but as the word about the killing spread among the people of Chogal and its adjoining areas, hundreds took to streets and held protest demonstrations. They carried the body on shoulders and blocked Kupwara- Srinagar road Kulangam, demanding the arrest of Para troopers involved in the murder of Manzoor.

The angry people shouted pro-independence, anti-army and government slogans and stopped the movement of traffic for four hours.  Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Superintendent of Police Handwara reached the spot and pacified the angry protestors.

Superintendent police Handwara Muhammad Aslam said that a murder case has been filed against 4 Para troopers on the killing of the young man.

“We have registered a murder case in police station Handwara vide number 26 under section 302,” SP said adding that at least two thousands people were protesting against the killing.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah first condemned the killing on his twitter page and later drove to Gund Chogal and regretted the killings of his party activists. Even he said the incident could have been avoided if a suggestion made by him at a meeting of the unified command had been implemented. However, his comment was not elaborated on twitter. "How can one not condemn the death of 21 year old Manzoor at the hands of the Army late last night? Another needless death in a bloody Kashmir," Omar posted on micro-blogging site Twitter."I have been trying to understand the circumstances, lots of questions, but not enough answers at the moment," he added.

Army has regretted the killing of Manzoor Ahmed Magray during an “ambush” at Handwara. Army’s Srinagar based spokesman, Lt Col JS Brar in a statement here said, “Based on specific intelligence on movement of militants, troops laid an ambush last night in Maidan Chogul.”

“At approximately 2230 hours, the troops detected suspicious movement of two persons moving towards the ambush. In accordance with the Standing Operative Procedures” JS Brar noted.

“the troops asked the individuals to surrender. However, they did not pay heed to the challenge by the troops and tried to run away in the cover of darkness. The troops opened Fire causing death of Manzoor Ahmad Magray son of Ghulam Ahmad of Pohrupet while other unidentified person escaped,” he said.

“Army although, strictly adhering to the challenging procedures, as per the rules of engagement, regrets the loss. We deeply and sincerely express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on this incident,” he said in humble words.

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