Unknown assailants on Monday shot dead a senior functionary of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even as student protests resumed in capital Srinagar after the authorities announced re-opening of colleges and higher secondary institutions.
Sources said suspected militants waylaid a vehicle carrying PDP leader Abdul Gani Dar at Kunzpora near Kakapora village and fired automatic weapons from a close range. One bullet hit him in the chest while another grazed his arm. The assailants, who appeared to be having specific information on Dar’s movement, fled from the spot after firing at him. He was on way to Srinagar to attend a party meeting.
Sources said Dar was immediately shifted to Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries. Dar, a lawyer by profession, was district president of the party in Pulwama district where the party won all four assembly constituencies in 2014 elections.
Dar’s killing is the third such killing in Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir in past 10 days. Earlier suspected militants shot dead a PDP worker and a practicing lawyer who has been affiliated with opposition National Conference (NC) in the past.
The South Kashmir Parliamentary Constituency is going to polls on May 25 following postponement of the elections previously scheduled on April 12. There is clamour for indefinite postponement of the elections, especially from the ruling PDP that deems situation not conducive for holding elections.
Meanwhile, normal life was hit in civil lines area of capital Srinagar when clashes occurred between police and protesting students. The authorities had announced resumption of class work in schools and colleges after the activity remained shut for at least five days. The students began protests against April 15 incident when police and paramilitaries swooped on students of Pulwama degree college and injured dozens of students. The authorities have attached the college principal and the assault on students is being probed.
Condemning Dar’s killing, a spokesman of Opposition National Conference said Dar’s killing was yet another reflection of the alarming state of affairs in the State thanks to the PDP-BJP Government which has plunged the State into total chaos and turmoil.
Senior PDP leader and Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu on Monday said spilling innocent blood is not only insane but inhuman. And it is going to devour Kashmir. “I have no words to express my grief at the dastardly murder of Abdul Gani Vakil, who was such a noble and pious soul,” Drabu said in a statement.