Lal Chowk Encounter: Separatists pay tributes to slain fidayeen

Srinagar, Jan 08: The family members of a Sopore youth Manzoor alias Usmaan, who died in a 28-hour long gunfight in Lal Chowk yesterday, alleged that the highhandedness committed by the troopers during the 2008 Amarnath land row agitation prompted him to join the Fidayeen ranks.

Manzoor along with another Fidayeen was killed in the Lal Chowk encounter. His body was brought to his home town - Peth Seer, Sopore on late Thursday night. Later, thousands of people attended his Nimaz-e-Jinaza amidst pro-freedom, anti-indian army, and anti-India slogans.

Manzoor’s family claims that he joined militant outfit-Lashker-e-Toiba, one and a half year ago when the valley was up in flames during Amarnath land row agitation.

“He was class 9th drop out and worked as a painter to sustain his poor family. During the 2008 Amarnath Land row agitation, he alongwith thousands of people of the area participated in the protest demonstrations to express resentment over the transfer of forest land to Amarnath Shrine Board. On August 11, 2008, he joined the “Muzafarabad Chalo March” and saw the troopers firing on unarmed protestors, beating women and children,” said Manzoor’s uncle, Mohammad Akbar.

He said the highhandedness and excesses committed by the troopers changed his mind-set and prompted him to join the Fidayeen Ranks.

His father, Ghulam Rasool said Manzoor used to frequently talk about the excesses committed by the troopers during the “Muzafarabad Chalo March”. “Manzoor used to offer five-time prayers and recite Holy Quran daily in the morning. One the second day of Ramdan he told us that he will join NGO for some time. We allowed him for the sake of his happiness. However, I was aware about his intentions as his mindset has changed radically after Muzaffarabad Chalo March. After leaving home, he never returned. He had joined Lashkar-e-Toiba and we saw him with an AK-47 rifle after six months when he came to meet us,” said Ghulam Rasool.

He said owing to intense pressure from security and intelligence agencies, they had urged Manzoor to surrender and live a normal life but of no avail. “The security agencies harassed me and my family members after Manzoor’s refusal to surrender,” said father of the slain youth.

Manzoor’s mother Hafiza Begum, said she had a firm belief that her son is a martyr. “The death is inevitable but my son died too young. He was only 21 years old. It was the time when he could have enjoyed his life but alas he preferred death,” she mourns.

The family said that they saw Manzoor two days before his death. “Two days before his death he came to home and met all family members and had a cup of tea. He refused to stay for a longer duration and told us that he has some urgent work and had to leave the place as soon as possible,” said his grandfather, Ali Mohammad.

He said on Wednesday evening security forces came to their residence and informed them that Manzoor was trapped in an encounter in Lal Chowk. “They asked us for his contact number and told us that they will let us talk to him,” added grandpa of slain Fidayeen.

Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front on Friday paid tributes to armed freedom fighters who were killed in Lal Chowk gunbattle. According to a statement meeting chaired by acting General Secretary Feroze Ahmad Khan paid tributes to the freedom fighters.

"We will not allow the blood of these martyars go waste. They sacrifice for our future. We continue to strive for safeguarding the movement till its logical conclusion," said the Hurriyat members.

"The best tribute to the martyars," the Hurriyat (G) spokesperson said," will be to support the demand for right to self-determination without any compromise."

Hurriyat Chairman Ali Shah Gilani who was perated on his right eye in New Delhi, also paid rich tributes to the slain fideeyens. National Front Chairman, Nayeem Khan visted the residence of slain fiydeen. " The armed rebellion was a compulsion for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Our movement is neither a terrorist movemnet nor it just a border dispute between India and Pakistan," said Nayeem while addressing a gathering on the occasion. Stressing on the importance of United Jehad Council's role in resolving issue, Khan sid, " the presence of UJC in any resoulation process is indispensable. They are sacrificing their present for the future of the masses,"

We are the heirs of the scarifices and have to support the resistance movement until its logical conclusion," siad Khan. A JKLF delegation also visted the house of the slain fidayeen and expressed solidarity with the family.

Meanwhile, Following the killing of a fidayeen in Lal Chowk gunfight who hailed from Peth Seer area of north Kashmir's Sopore town, the township observed a complete shutdown on Friday. Traffic remains off the roads and all business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. Raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans youth come out on streets early in the morning and indulged in heavy stone pelting with Indian Army.

Thousands, locals gattheered after Friday prayers and raised pro-freedom and antiIndia slogans. The troopers reacted using lethi charge.