Jammu and Kashmir police used a few tear-gas shells and mild lathi-charge to foil the protest of Kashmiri Pandits at Sheikhpora, Budgam, who were marching towards Srinagar International Airport. The protesters said that they were waiting for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha till 11 am and as he didn’t turn up, they decided to march towards airport to lodge their protest against the killing of their colleague Rahul Bhat.
Bhat was killed by militants inside Tehsil office Chadoora, Budgam on Thursday. The killing evoked widespread condemnation.
Dozens of KPs assembled outside the migrant colony Sheikhpora, Budgam to register their protest. “We had informed the administration and police that LG should visit the spot and give us assurance about our protection and ensure culprits involved in the killing of Rahul Bhat won’t be spared. But LG didn’t arrive at the spot and we were left with no option other than to march towards Srinagar airport,” a protester told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The protestors were shouting slogans, “DC Budgam hai, hai; Kaatil Ko Pesh Karo”. Witnesses told KNO that as the protestors proceeded towards Srinagar airport, policemen present that police fired a few tear smoke shells to prevent the KP protestors from marching towards Srinagar International Airport. “The protesters were pushed back and barred from proceeding towards the Airport,” they said. Officials said “some miscreants” among the protestors pelted stones at the police forcing the cops to use mild-force to quell the protestors. “The situation is under control at present,” they said—(KNO)