Altaf Bukhari Calls for Investigation into B’la Killing, Appeals HM Amit Shah to Intervene for MP Er Rashid’s Release

Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party president, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Thursday condemned the killing of a trucker by security forces after allegedly ‘ignoring’ a security forces’ check point in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Terming the killing “very unfortunate”, Bukhari urged upon power corridors to take strong note of the incident and ensure protection of innocent lives in future.

The security forces maintained that the incident occurred when a vehicle carrying apple boxes was signaled to stop at the Naka set up by security forces. “The vehicle, however, failed to comply with the order, following which the security forces opened fire, leading to the death of the driver.”

“This is a very unfortunate incident which shouldn’t have been happened. The incident took place on a bustling highway, and not at an isolated place where we can believe that fire was the last option for security forces. Government should take note of this incident to ensure no human life will be harmed unnecessarily in future. It is not necessary to shot down a person direct, instead security forces could have targeted tyres of the truck to stop the person,” Bukhari told media persons here.

Responding to a query about detention of scores of youth in southern Kulgam district, Bukhari said though investigation into the matter is must to expose the elements behind the killing of ex-serviceman in Behibagh village of Kulgam district, but it should also be taken care of that no innocent should be touched or harmed unnecessarily.

“The investigation into the killing of ex-serviceman Manzoor Wagay is must and it should be done so that truth comes to the fore. But that doesn’t mean innocent youth should be targeted unnecessarily. There is a need exercise restraint,” he said.

On a quetion about jailed Member Parliament (MP) Er Rashid, the senior politician appealed to Union Home Minister to intervene into the matter and ensure the release of an elected parliamentarian.

“Five lakh people have voted Er Rashid. I think Union Home Minister Amit Shah should intervene and deliver justice to him,” he said, and added, “When Arvind Kejriwal and other political activists of Mumbai have been released, the same treatment should be provided to MP north Kashmir Er Rashid”.