Srinagar, June 16: An Imam of a local mosque and his son were killed by Army who mistook them as militants at Kreeri in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, sparking protests in the area today even as the state government ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. The government also announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh for the next of kin of those killed and assured a job for a member of their family.
Abdul Qayoom Peer, Imam of a local mosque, and his son Masood Ahmad Peer were killed last night when troops allegedly opened fire on them mistaking them for militants, official sources said here. As news of the killing spread today morning, several thousand people took to streets in Kreeri area and marched towards the local police station where the bodies were kept, the official sources said.
The agitated people, raising anti-Army slogans, blocked the main road at Wagoora after police handed over the bodies for burial, demanding an inquiry into the incident and punishment to the jawans involved, they said. Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Naven Choudhary, who reached Kreeri village along with senior police officers to pacify the people, announced the inquiry and the ex-gratia.
The inquiry, ordered by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, would be conducted by sub-divisional magistrate Sopore Sharafat Ali who was asked to submit his report within 15 days, he said. Bureau Report