Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar Monday said that the three youth killed in Lawaypora gunfight were involved in militancy and that the police will soon present ‘concrete evidence’ to their parents.
He said that the bodies of slain militants aren’t being handed over to families in view of the Covid-19 pandemic as people would assemble in funerals and break the Covid protocol.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a road safety week function in Srinagar, the IGP Kumar, as per news agency KNO, said: “We have collected 60 percent evidence and in next days, we will collect more evidence including the technical one and will first convince the parents of slain trio that their sons were involved in militancy and were providing logistic support to militants.”
IGP Kumar while replying to a query that the father of one of the slain youth has demanded the body of his son, said that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, bodies of slain militants aren’t being handed over to their families.
“If we hand over the bodies, people will assemble for funerals and break the covid protocol, which would endanger the lives of people. The bodies of slain militants are being buried in the presence of their family members.”
The families of the slain youth have demanded a probe into their killings, says they were innocent and were killed in a staged gunfight. Several political parties have also demanded a fair probe into the gunfight.
Earlier this month, the families of the trio staged a protest at Press Enclave in Srinagar, demanding a probe and return of the bodies.
The IGP said that, of late, youth are being lured into militancy as OGWs as they are being provided with pistols and grenades. “Yesterday, we arrested a youth from Anantnag, along with a pistol and grenade who was tasked to kill someone. We are at it and will counter the trend through human tracking and this is our top priority,” he said.
About arrangements for January 26, the IGP said that militants would try to disrupt the function but police will ensure all such attempts are foiled.