Family smells foul play, Police says hit and run case
BARAMULLA: Protests broke out in Baramula over the mysterious death of a Peoples League leader Abdul Rashid Sofi alias Abul Rashid Gazi whose body was found at Kandi Baramulla in mysterious circumstances.
Police said that initial investigations has revealed that it is a hit and run case.
Family members however said that Abdul Rashid Sofi alias Gazi Baba, 65, a resident of Kakarhamam had left his home on Wednesday night and did not return. We were shocked to hear that his body was found in Nopora, Kreeri. His body contains burn marks and it seems he has died of physical torture, CNS quoting an unnamed family member reported.
According to this report, Rashid had head, arm and back injuries.
Protests erupted in his native village and Azad Ganj, Cement Bridge and Khanpora areas of Baramulla.
Eyewitnesses said that police and paramilitary forces fired gunshots in air to disperse the protestors. Heavy tear gas shelling and aerial firing created panic in these areas.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Baramula, J.P.Singh said that the deceased was a senior member of the Hurriyat Conference who was found with injuries on his head and back. We have conducted the post-mortem and it seems he has died in a road accident, Singh said adding that situation in town was under control.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Zubair Ahmed Khan said that police has started inquiry under section 174 and if need arises a murder case may be registered. We have constituted an investigating team headed by SDPO, Syed Fayaz which would investigate the matter, Khan said adding that initial reports suggest that it is a hit and run case.
Meanwhile Peoples League Chairman Mukhtar Ahmad Waza has expressed shock over the killing of Gazi. Party chairman termed it barbaric and said that he was killed under a conspiracy aimed to sabotage the voice of freedom in Kashmir.
Reports said that Sofi was a senior separatist leader and before joining Peoples League he was associated with Shabir Ahmed Shah. He according to sources had gone to Pak administered Kashmir in early 90s and was arrested in 1991. He was an active militant commander of Al-Jihad outfit before resuming political activities.
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