Protesters’ stones kill man in Srinagar

This is the second death by flying stones since February this year. On February 22,a 10-day-old infant was killed in Baramulla after protesters stoned a vehicle and forced the passengers to get off. The death had triggered massive public outcry,and stone-throwing as a means of protest against the government was hotly debated by parties and civil society groups across the separatist-mainstream divide.

Mohammad Shafi Sheikh was struck on the head while on way to work at the State Board of School Education at Bemina. He was rushed to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences,where doctors declared him dead.

The doctors also put the lid on some initial speculation that Sheikh had been hit by a police bullet. “He was hit by a blunt object in his head,” said the Medical Superintendent,Amin Tabish. “There was no exit wound.”

“He was hit by a stone,” Inspector General of Police Farooq Ahmad told The Indian Express. “He was travelling in a (passenger) vehicle. The conductor was calling for the passengers when some three to four boys appeared and pelted stones.”

“We have identified two or three pelters. We will locate all of them very soon,” said Station House Officer,Batamaloo,Zahoor Ahmad.

Sheikh’s daily-wage income was the source of sustenance for his family of a married brother and mother. “He was a hardworking employee,” said Nazir Ahmad,Assistant Secretary of the State Board of School Education. “He would come to office every day,even if there was a strike.”

The separatists condemned the death but blamed the government for restricting the space for democratic protests. “We strongly condemn it. It is totally against the interests of the movement,” moderate Hurriyat chairman,Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said. “We have never endorsed any action where people are killed or made a target.”

Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani said,“We condemn it in strong words. We have given our supporters a clear direction not to indulge in stone-pelting. How can you blame the pro-movement leaders for it? The activists of Congress,National Conference,PDP are also involved in stone-pelting. There are even drug addicts and drunkards involved in it.”