Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Nov 25: Angry locals blocked the Batote-Kishtwar highway at Thathri area today over the death of a retired Army officer, demanding arrest of the accused, officials said.
Retired Army officer Mohammad Hafiz (60) alias Hafeez Fouji, son of Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Joura Khurd District Doda was killed and six others were injured in a clash between two groups at a polling booth at Joura Khurd in Doda district during the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir panchayat elections yesterday, police said.
“After postmortem of the deceased, the villagers joined by locals at Thathri refused to take the body to his native village Joura Khurd for last rites. They kept the body on the highway demanding assurance from the district magistrate”, Thathri SDM Mohammad Anwar Banday said.
The protesters sought the district administration’s intervention into the matter and assurance from the Deputy Commissioner Doda to immediately set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to nail down the culprits. They also demanded a Government job for the kin of the deceased.
SDM said he tried to pacify the protesters and assured them of arresting the culprits at the earliest but they are insisting on assurance from the DM itself.
During the protest, hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on either side of the highway at Thathri town.
Meanwhile, DC Doda and SSP Doda assured the locals and relatives of the deceased that magisterial enquiry will be completed as soon as possible.
However, the locals suggested three names for the fair enquiry of incident on request of DC including Tehsildar Doda, Tehsildar Kahra and SSP Doda.
DC Doda said that decision regarding compensation and SRO will be given after final medical report and enquiry.
On the assurance, the protestors dispersed and vehicular movement was restored on the highway.
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