News Kashmir Exclusive
Research Scholar turned militant Mannan Wani, one of the top men of Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir Valley, was killed in an encounter with forces in Kupwara on Thursday . Clashes broke out in some pockets of the valley after the news spread.
Pertinently, taking a cue from the aftermath of Burhan Wani’s killing, internet service has been snapped and all the educational institutions have been closed in the Kupwara district as precautionary measure.
The encounter at Langate — roughly 80 km from state capital Srinagar. Once a research scholar of the Aligarh Muslim University, Mannan Wani had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen earlier this year. He had gone missing from the Uttar Pradesh university, where he had been studying Applied Geology. A few days later, his photograph, holding what appeared to be a AK assault rifle, appeared on social media.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted : Today a PhD scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday.
On the otherhand of spectrum, as Kashmir lost in Handwara Gunbattle wonderful scholar DR. Mannan Wani PHD from world famous Aligarh Muslim University the serenity is filled with mourning and sense of loss.
It is a great loss for a small nation like Kashmir to lose scholars at this pace. He could have contributed immensely to field of knowledge in strife hit Kashmir had life and situation been kind.
We need to think, introspect, strategize where we as nation stand.
Relatedly, senior profreedom leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq tweeted :
Alas! heard the tragic news of #MananWani’s Martyrdom and of his associates! Deeply pained that we lost a budding intellectual and writer like him, fighting for the of cause of self-determination.JRL appeals to people to observe a complete #Shutdown tomorrow to pay homage to him.
Whole valley has burst into sadness, gloom after hearing the news of death of Scholar Mannan wani. Taking to Social Media outlet Facebook Research Scholar Mushtaq ul Haq Ahmad Sikander wrote :” Death has knocked again at my door. Rest in Peace my friend Manaan Wani. I failed to convince you to return back from violent path. You have left me with nothing but tears and separation. We will inshallah meet in Jannah. Love you moon and back.”
Undoubtedly the loss of young scholars in Kashmir to gun is seen as biggest jolt to the knowledge pool of Kashmir and both India and Pakistan should take steps to see an end to this mayhem.
