Villagers say Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, a lecturer, was beaten to death by Army and died in Pampore.
A college lecturer died in Pampore on Thursday morning allegedly in the custody of security forces, triggering protests in his village, Shar.
Villagers say 32-year-old Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, a lecturer in a government school was beaten to death by Army during a mid-night crackdown in the village on Wednesday night. More than 50 people have received serious injuries due to beating and torture.
This is the first time in 41 days' of unrest in Kashmir when army is accused of such atrocities during midnight raids. Villagers say the army troops stormed the village late Wednesday night, barged into their houses, ransacked household and ruthlessly beat up people.
The police have filed a First Information Report or FIR, with charges of murder against the 50 Rashtriya Rifles battalion. They say over 50 people who had been injured during the raid were admitted in various hospitals. The villagers allege that army didn't spare anybody. Among the victims of torture and beating is Abdul Ahad Sheikh, a Sarpanch of ruling PDP. "They attacked our houses, vehicles and ruthlessly beat up everybody including children and elderly people" said Mr Sheikh.
Expressed regret for the death of Shabir Ahmad Mangoo, the army ordered an investigation into the alleged highhandedness of security forces. "It's a regrettable. We will look into it. An inquiry has been ordered" said Lieutenant General Satish Dua, the GOC of 15 Corps.
With this, the number of civilian deaths in the Kashmir valley has gone up to 66, over 5,000 people have been injured. The protests had started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.