Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 14: Protesters clashed with police on Srinagar Airport road since this morning after a missing youth’s body was found near Railway track at Humhama in Budgam.
Police said a throat-slit body of a youth, Owais Bashir Malik, son of Bashir Ahmad Malik, resident of Peerbagh was found lying near Railway track at Humhama this morning. The youth, a student of KITE Polytechnic College, was missing for last two days.
Soon after the body was recovered, hundreds of residents of Hyderpora, Humhama and Peerbagh took to streets and blocked Srinagar Airport Road. The protesters pelted stones on vehicles and police personnel triggering clashes. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse the protesters.
As the clashes continued throughout the day, the movement on Airport Road came to a complete halt and lot of people were trapped in these clashes. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged during the clashes.
People were demanding probe into the murder of the youth. Some of the residents blamed security forces for the death but these allegations were denied by the authorities.
It took several hours for police to conduct the post-mortem as the body had grave injury marks. After conducting medical and legal formalities the police handed over the body to the relatives of the youth and his funeral was offered at Peerbagh Chowk.
Soon after the funeral, the youth again resorted to heavy stone-throwing on police along Srinagar Airport Road leading to clashes. Police fired scores of teargas shells but the youth continued to pelt stones on police. The clashes continued till late in the evening.
Due to the clashes and tension, all the shops and commercial establishments were closed from Hyderpora to Humhama. Due to tense situation, hundreds of police personnel were deployed in these areas to maintain law and order.
The passengers, who were on their way to airport, had to face tough time as the main road to the airport remained closed due to clashes.
Police have started a probe into the murder and also registered a case. “Taking cognizance of the crime, police has registered a case FIR number 09/2016 under Section 302 RPC in Police Station Budgam,” said a police spokesman.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone ordered magisterial inquiry to be conducted by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Hamidullah Mir, into murder of Owais.
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