Shopian, Aug 26: In a place where Kashmiri Muslims have performed the last rites of Kashmiri Pandits, people refused to be a part of the funeral procession of a government gunman allegedly involved in 125 killings in this south Kashmir town.
 Shah Faisal alias Jeela Shah, 35, who died of heart attack on Thursday was buried in the compound of his residence with only his family members participating in the last rites.
 Residents said the deceased who used to call himself Raja (king) was a notorious Ikhwani commander and was involved in killings of about 125 people, extortion and kidnapping.
 As the news of his death spread announcements were made from the loudspeakers of the Masjids and a message was sent to his family members on behalf of the locals that nobody in the town would be participating in his funeral and no place would be given to him in a local graveyard. 
 “Oh my son, see the person who snatched you from me has met the same fate,” screamed   Shameema (name changed). Her 17-year old son lone son was allegedly tortured to death by the deceased.
 Residents said that Jeela who was active in the town in the late nineties had shot dead many innocent people in the broad day light.
 Residents said that Jeela’s father Ghulam Nabi Shah had unsuccessfully contested the 1996 elections on the BJP ticket and their house is guarded by police and CRPF men.
 They said the deceased had recently returned to his home in Shopian from Mumbai after his wife delivered a child.
 “After the reign of Ikhwan ended in 2000, Jeela used to stay mostly in New Delhi and Mumbai where he had purchased his own houses,” said a resident.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST