Srinagar, Aug 5: One more Kashmiri family lost its bread winner on Thursday. Shabir Ahmed Malik, 26, of Newa Pulwama a Sumo driver, who was looking for milk to feed his 3-year old daughter, was shot dead allegedly  by policemen near Degree College Pulwama in south Kashmir this afternoon. 
 Shabir’s elder brother, Mushtaq Ahmed had died of a heart attack last year following which the responsibility of the entire family had fallen on his shoulders.
 Shabir is survived by his 3-year old daughter Anusha, wife Kulsum and his parents and the family of his late brother, while his elder brother, Ghulam Muhammad lives separately.  Shabir’s father Abdul Aziz Malik had sold a few kanals of land last year and brought a Tata Sumo for his son.
 He was a shy and a disciplined guy, said the locals. “He was working day in and day out to feed his family,” they added.
 Shabir, according to eyewitnesses, was standing on roadside when a peaceful procession passed by. The CRPF deployed in the town allowed the procession to move. “But, Police fired upon the procession from behind. A bullet hit Shabir on his neck and chest,” they said.
 “My brother was the lone bread earner of the family. My mother is bed-ridden from the past two years. O Allah! Help us,” Shabir’s wailing brother Ghulam Muhammad screamed. 
 Back home gazing restlessly at every mourner at her house at Newa, Sitara Begum could not believe that her son had been killed. “He cannot die and leave us alone - please see if he is alive,” she said and rushed outside the house.
 Some women tried to console her but in a vain. “She is in a deep shock. Let her cry and understand that her son is no more,” some relatives suggested.
 As the word about Malik’s killing spread hundreds of people reached Newa to express solidarity with the bereaved family. “I was eager to see you back home with milk for Anusha but saw your coffin,” screamed his wife, Kulsum and fainted.
 “Without any provocation police fired on peaceful protesters and killed Shabir and injured several others,” shouted Aijaz Ahmad (name changed), a local youth. “Now, who will take care of his poor family,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST