Ganderbal, Aug 9: A day after a Sarpanch and his colleague were arrested in connection with the murder of a youth in Sendhbal Ganderbal, three more accused persons were arrested by police on Thursday. Police conducted raids on the houses of eight other accused.
Police have already registered an FIR against unknown persons and asked the family of the slain youth to submit a list of the accused. Police is conducting the raids as per the list of accused submitted by the family.
The family of the slain youth are apprehensive of justice as the main accused belongs to the ruling National Conference. However, sources said the top officials of police have assured them that justice would be delivered at any cost. The family of the victim accused the local Sarpanch and his associates of killing their son in cold blood.
“My son was innocent, he was a student of 1st year and was also teaching the local children at a darsgah,” father of the victim, Ghulam Nabi said. “I am witness to the incident as I was also in the masjid to offer Zuhr prayers. During the prayers a group of people attacked my son with lathis without any provocation and as some people came to the rescue of the victim, they were also attacked,” Ghulam Nabi said.
He said the group that attacked his son included the local Sarpanch Muhammad Subhan and his associates.
“Why did they kill my son? Were they jealous of my son who was working day and night for Islam,” father of the victim said.
“The other accused persons include Ghulam Hassan Wani, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Abdul Majeed Bhat and Ghulam Muhammad Lone,” he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami has claimed that the murder was political, not sectarian.
A condolence meeting led by Jamaat General Secretary Fayaz Hamid was held today at the residence of the slain youth in which it was demanded that law should take its own course without coming under pressure from any political quarter.
A number of political and religious leaders including Congress leader Sheikh Ishfaq today visited the victim’s house and demanded stern action against those involved in the murder.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST