Kudara (Bandipora), Sept 10: This heavy militarised remote hamlet in north Kashmir district of Bandipora is in a state of mourning following the killing of villager by troops of Army’s 14 Rashtriya Rifles.

 After the killing, the residents have decided not to celebrate Eid since Manzoor Ahmad Peswal’s chaharum (fourth day) falls on the day when rest of the Muslim would celebrate Eid-ul Fitr on Saturday.

 Peswal (38), son of Ghulam Nabi of Upper Kudara was killed when 14 Rashtriya Rifles personnel who had laid an ambush near Lashkudara village, reportedly to trap a group of militants, fired upon him. He laid dead on the ground on Thursday morning.

 Not only is his native hamlet in a state of shock but also neighbouring villages of Peswalpati and Numberdapati are grieved with the locals blaming the Army for killing of an honest villager.

 “There will be no Eid celebration here. We have lost a compassionate and honest soul,” said a local.

 Peswal is survived by wife and eight month old child and for this little family tragedy has befallen at a time when he was need most for the sustenance. 

 “Everybody is silent and mourning Peswal’s death. Nobody can think of celebrating the Eid-ul-fitr,” said Ismail Khan.

 Married two in 2008, Manzoor was the sole breadwinner of the improvised family and on the day of his killing, he was on the way to make preparation for Eid.

 “But he was snatched from us by the killers who even after listening to his screams fired indiscriminately on him,” said his wife Shariefa.

 This reporter had tread for hours to reach Kudara which is surrounded by the mountain on three sides while the only opening to outer world is via camp of 14 RR.

 The armymen have erected a metallic gate and the sentry there allows only those who have valid identity cards and are known.

 “We attempted to protest against the killing but were not allowed to move ahead of Chuntimulla, a village were 14 RR has erected the metallic gate,” said locals.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST