Handwara firing: CM Mehbooba Mufti meets PM Modi; requests Centre to ensure timebound inquiry

NEW DELHI | SRINAGAR: J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti has requested the Centre to ensure a timebound inquiry into the Handwara firing, which killed three civilians on Tuesday. The CM’s move came on a day when violent clashes in Handwara resulted in another death and the Hurriyat Conference called for a dawn-to-dusk shutdown of the Kashmir valley on Thursday.

Three people, including a budding cricketer, and a woman were killed in Handwara on Tuesday when security forces fired at stone-pelting protesters who targeted their bunker. The incident happened after rumours that some Army personnel had allegedly molested a girl returning from school.

Mufti met defence minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi to ask for a time-bound inquiry into the Handwara firing.

Describing the firing incident as “very unfortunate”, the CM later told journalists: “I spoke to the defence minister. He assured me that a probe will be initiated and the culprits will be punished. At the same time, the family (of the victims) will be compensated. Such incidents should not happen in the future.”

The CM sought to dispel reports about any animosity between local and outstation students at NIT and said her government will ensure security of all students in the Valley. “They are our children. It is our job to provide them security. I am confident they will come back, Kashmir is their home.”

In New Delhi, Mufti also called on PM Modi and pitched for inclusion of Srinagar and Jammu among smart cities.