Outrage Over Youth’s ‘Custodial Killing’ In South Kashmir’s Kulgam

The alleged custodial killing of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, 22, in South Kashmir’s Kulgam has sparked political outrage. The family and the residents allege that he was picked up by the Army and questioned over suspected "terror" links. Later, his body was found in a stream.

Family members of Magray said that he had no links with militancy and was working as a labourer.

“Imtiyaz was working as labourer and had been to Himachal Pradesh in the winters, where he worked on menial jobs. Security forces picked him up and then his body was recovered from a stream. We were informed about the death,” says Manzoor Ahmad Magray, the uncle of the deceased. He added that the most of the family members, including his brothers and father, do odd jobs and “have no connection with the militancy”.

The Army's spokesperson in Srinagar said that as per reports, the youth was “an overground worker (OGW).”  “The matter is  being investigated by  police, and we are also looking into it," the spokesperson added.

Chowdhary Mohammad Altaf, the local Lumberdar (village headman) of Tangmarg village, said that the youth was picked up on the morning of May 3 by security force officials. “The family told us that the security forces officials picked him up from a local camp, and they had assured them that he would be released,” added Altaf.

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The death has sparked outrage in Kashmir with politicians across party lines seeking an “impartial investigation” into the matter.

Health Minister and National Conference (NC) leader, Sakina Itoo, who visited the area to meet his family, demanded a judicial probe into the death. CPI(M) leader and MLA of Kulgam, MY Tarigami, also sought an impartial investigation in the matter.

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“The mysterious death of Magray has raised serious questions with his family alleging that he was picked up by the Army a few days earlier. The incident calls for a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the youth’s death,” says Tarigami.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mebooba Mufti, has said that the allegations of misconduct by security forces were deeply troubling.

“Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Magray was picked up by the army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river. Allegations of misconduct, whether in Bandipora encounter or in this latest incident in Kulgam, are deeply troubling and warrant a thorough impartial investigation,” she added.

Senior police officials, however, refused to comment on the matter. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal, said that they have not issued any statement on the matter as of now.