Srinagar, Aug 7: Religo-political organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Tuesday described the death of a youth in Ganderbal district as a “political killing” and alleged that it was a “pre-planned attack” by ruling National Conference Sarpanch and his supporters.
 “It was a unilateral attack by the National Conference Sarpanch, Muhammad Subhan Wani and his men,” alleged the JeI chief Sheikh Muhammad Hassan at a press conference here. “It was a pre-planned attack carried out with a political vendetta in which Shabir Ahmad Bhat was killed.”
 Hassan rejected the reports that there were sectarian clashes in the mosque in Sendhbal village of the district over the use of loudspeaker which led to the death.
 The incident took place in the mosque of Sedhbal village in Ganderbal—constituency of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-on Monday afternoon. Two other persons were injured in the incident. 
 “This is not a religious or sectarian issue but purely a political one. There were no group clashes in the area,” Hassan said. “National Conference has a history of killing people belonging to Jamaat ideology.”
 Hassan said the “NC goons” had carried out the attack when devotees were offering prayers in the mosque.
 The Jamaat chief alleged that the National Conference Sarpanch had on number of occasions in the past harassed Bhat.
 “They (NC) are worried about Jamaat’s growing influence in the area,” said Hassan. “He (Bhat) was earlier threatened by the Sarpanch to close down the seminary and stop teaching Quran to locals.”
 He said Jamaat believes in peace. “Jamaat has never been in favour of conflicts neither does it believe in carrying out attacks on others,” Hassan said.
 Hassan asked Police not to come under political influence and carry out an impartial investigation into the incident. “Culprits should be booked,” he said.
 Meanwhile the district administration has put in place severe restriction in the Sedhbal to prevent any law and order situation in the area.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST