Srinagar, Aug 12: Scores of people of Natipora locality here took to streets on Sunday accusing the police of shielding the accused in the murder of a local, Ghulam Muhammad Shah, who was killed in a brawl with his neighbours last month.
Holding placards and shouting anti-police slogans, the protesters staged protest in Natipora demanding justice to the bereaved family. The protesters blocked the main road for nearly two hours disrupting vehicular movement.
“Police is shielding the accused, Dr Maqsood Ahmed Khan and his sons. Police is resorting to inordinate delay in producing the FSL report in the case. Some police officers are trying to hush up the matter because of Khan’s connections in the administrative and political circles,” said Bashir Ahmed Pandit president Welfare committee Budshah Nagar- Natipora while leading the procession.
Pandit said though the accused are in jail. “Ironically despite passing of over a month police has failed to produce Challan in court. It seems police is facilitating release of the accused on bail,” he said.
The locals are concerned over safety of Shah family and others.
“Release of the accused will not only pose a threat to Shah family but to the entire locality. Besides it will be sheer injustice with the deceased family,” Pandit said.
He appealed IGP Kashmir, S.M Sahai, SSP Srinagar Ashiq Hussain Bukhari and SP South, Sulaiman Choudhary to personally intervene in the matter.
Reports said that on July 4, a row had erupted over the dumping of garbage between families of Muhammad Hussain Khan and deceased Ghulam Muhammad Shah which turned violent resulting in the death of Shah and serious injuries to his daughter.
Police had registered an FIR no 135/2012 under action 302, 34, 120B- RPC in police station Saddar and arrested the accused including Maqsood Hussain Khan, his two sons, Sadat and Fahad and his wife Rozy.
Police in a statement had claimed that the accused are presently lodged in different jails and are under judicial remand.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST