TA jawan arrested for killing girl, protest continues in Kupwara

Srinagar, July 10, 2009: The district administration in the frontier district of Kupwara has ordered closure of all educational institutions today and tomorrow in view of the tense situation following the killing of a 2nd year college student by a jawan of Territorial Army (TA) yesterday. The jawan Ashiq Hussain Peer, a relative of the victim, was arrested by the police.

Official sources said Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, has ordered closure of all private and government schools and colleges in the district for two days from today.

The educational institutions will reopen on Monday, they said, adding the measure was taken in view of the prevailing situation following the death of Amina at Dolipora.

Most shops and business establishments in the district and adjoining areas remained closed and traffic was also off the roads.

A police spokesperson giving details about the incident said information was received early yesterday about the suspicious death of Amina Masoodi.

He added two senior police officers reached the spot immediately.

The family members of the victim alleged that Ashiq Hussain Peer, of 160 TA was involved in the killing.

He said the accused was a relative of Amina and was known to the family.

Later, Peer was arrested after an FIR under section 320 was registered by the police.

The breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) had called for a general strike today in protest against the incident.

Thousands of people took to streets in the frontier district of Kupwara after news spread about the incident.

They alleged that Peer had forcibly entered the room of Amina who raised an alarm when she saw him in her room. But sources said, Peer closed her mouth and nose with his hand and she died of suffocation.

 

--- UNI