Right to Bury
News Kashmir Exclusive
Unfortunately, the valley of Kashmir is not coming back from the vicious cycle of violence gripping it since past three decades . Scores have lost their valuable lives in this painful conflict and humanity stands biggest victim of it . The heavy bloodshed has pained the atmosphere of Kashmir .The recent Hyderpora Encounter which resulted in four killings has run in all sorts of controversies, with relatives of slain alleging it to be fake encounter . They lead a successful protest in demand of return of dead bodies of their loved ones .The Government also woke up to their pain in some manner. Honorable Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted :” A magisterial inquiry by officer of ADM rank has been ordered in Hyderpora encounter.Govt will take suitable action as soon as report is submitted in a time-bound manner.JK admin reiterates commitment of protecting lives of innocent civilians&it will ensure there is no injustice.’On the other hand , amid huge outcry and protests, the authorities on Thursday, 18 November,2021 , exhumed bodies of two residents—Mohammad Altaf Bhat and Dr Mudassir Gul—from a graveyard at Wadder Zachaldara Handwara where they were buried along with two other persons who were killed in the ‘encounter’ at Hyderpora here on Monday.
Official sources told that bodies were exhumed under the supervision of Tehsildar Handwara in presence a team of doctors. They said the bodies are being sent to Srinagar for handing over same to the families. Sources said that families had been asked to limit the funeral to few people only. Also restrictions have been imposed in the area to prevent “law and order”.
The families of the duo contested police claims and had been demanding their bodies for “proper” burial.
“I am thankful to LG for ordering an inquiry. I am thankful that my oppressed voice was heard by someone. I only have one request to the LG, I want the body of my brother returned to us and the killers of my innocent brother brought to justice,” stated victims brother.The hope on ground zero is that justice that had eluded Kashmir since long would be delivered and the victims of this painful get complete justice .People’s Conference Supermo Sajad lone stated : ” Finally two bodies have been returned. But what times we live in. Have seen such incidents in the past. But aloofness is distinctive. The eeriness says it all. Thanks to all those who made it possible for bodies to be returned.
May I say. Please don’t mistake fear for consent.”All the dead cannot return back but their children and rest of the family should get a sense of closure and atleast a sense of what these innocent civilians were punished for “said Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Senior leader of PAGD.
