The family of slain policeman Ajay Dhar, who was apparently shot dead by a colleague in a case of mistaken identity in district Kupwara of Jammu and Kashmir Kupwara, accused the police department of attempting a “cover-up,” and demanded justice
Dhar who was posted in Handwara died on Wednesday after being shot by a sentry guarding a temple who mistook him for a militant, officials said.
According to the preliminary investigation, Dhar was going from the Handwara Police Station to sleep at the temple located in main Handwara town.”The victim was using headphones on his mobile phone. When he reached near the temple, the guard there observed suspicious movement and signaled him to stop. Dhar apparently could not hear the sentry, prompting him to open fire,” an official said.
As Dhar’s mortal remains reached his residence at Jagti camp on the outskirts of Jammu city on Thursday,
Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits gathered outside and held protests, demanding a probe into the killing.”Please return my son alive. Who fires at the head of a person,” Dhar’s grief-stricken mother lashed out.Dhar’s sister, Neha, said, “We want justice for Ajay, not compensation or money.”
Lashing out at the administration and the police for their failure to safeguard Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, Dhar’s grandmother said, “We want justice and punishment to those involved in it, not compensation.”Meanwhile, terming the incident a “cold-blooded murder,” the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) accused the police of a cover-up and demanded a high-level probe.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP vice-president Ajay Bharti said the incident will have repercussions on the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley if a probe is not ordered.Kashmiri Pandit leader Vikas Raina also demanded a CBI probe into the circumstance of his death.Several organizations run by Kashmiri Pandits including APMCC, HGT, ASKPC, KPC, AIKS, KPS, and Panun Kashmir, demanded a high-level probe.