Kashmir truck attack victim dies, violence erupts

In the wake of the death of truck conductor Zahid Bhat, who was allegedly attacked by a mob at Udhampur on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on October 9, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Sunday appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and communal harmony.

The accused are Sandoor Singh, Danish alias Pamma, Harish Singh, Balbahadur Singh and Varinder Singh alias Kaka.

In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet leaders and trade organizations have called for complete shutdown across the territory, tomorrow, against the killing of a Kashmiri trucker by fanatic Hindus in Udhampur district of Jammu region.

Clashes broke out in Batengoo and surrounding areas between protesters and police personnel, a police official said.

Attacking the state and the Cemtral governments, he said they can not wash their hands off the issue. “Who will he blame for #Zahid’s death now???”

“Another needless death in the name of #BeefBan for which the BJP and its affiliates including allies are directly responsible”, he tweeted. “New and fresh faces will take the place of the arrested and older people and until the Kashmir issue is not addressed in and according to the wishes and aspirations of its people, this process will continue and no police force can control this”, the statement added. “An attempt by certain elements to vitiate atmosphere, they should re think on that”, he said.

Zahid (24) son of Ghulam Rasool Bhat of Batengo was shifted to Safderjung hospital in New Dekhi after he suffered serious burn injuries when hooligans attacked their truck with a petrol bomb. The driver of the truck Showkat Ahmed was also admitted to the hospital. The attack was carried out in Jammu’s Udhampur after rumours that three cows were killed in the area.