Srinagar: A school teacher from Awantipora area has died in police custody and the family has termed it a ‘cold blooded murder’.
The deceased has been identified as Rizwan Ahmad Pandith son of Asaddulah Pandit, a resident of Awantipora.
According to Rizwan’s brohter, Zulqarnain Ahmad, he was picked up some days back and was shifted to notorious Cargo, an interrogation center.
“Today we came to know that he has been killed in custody, its a cold blooded murder,” Zulqarnain said.
He said that Rizwan was released six months back from jail after being slapped with PSA.
“He used to teach and work as a principal in a school. He had no links to any militant organisation. Our family is associated with Jamat e Islami and that is not a crime,” Zulqarnain said.
Rizwan’s father is a member of Jamat e Islami, which was recently declared unlawful organisation by the government of India.
Meanwhile police in a statement said that they have ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“In pursuance of terror case investigation, one suspect Rizwan Pandit r/o Awantipore was in police custody,” police siad, adding that the person died in police custody.
“In this matter while following the procedure laid down in section 176 of crpc a magisterial enquiry is underway. Separately police investigation has also been initiated in the jurisdictional area of incident,” they said.
Clashes have erupted in the area and a large number of people have assembled in the area.
“The area is reverberating with pro freedom, pro Rizwan slogans.
The body of the deceased is yet to be handed over to the family.
“There is no point in investigation. We all know the fate of investigations here,” his brother said.
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