Hyderpora encounter: Third victim’s body sought for last rites

Banihal/Jammu, November 20

Ramban District Development Council (DDC) chairperson Shamshad Shan on Saturday warned of protests if the authorities did not decide on handing over the body of Amir Magray, the third person killed in the Hyderpora encounter whose kin claim he was innocent, to his family members.

Shan, however, welcomed J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha’s order for a magisterial probe into the encounter which took place in Srinagar on Monday evening. After the bodies of two civilians killed in the encounter were returned to their families, the chorus for handing over the mortal remains of Amir Magray grew louder.

Cutting across political spectrum, leaders from the mainstream as well as the separatist camp demanded that Magray’s body also be returned. According to the police, Magray was a militant and was killed in the encounter. However, Magray’s father Abdul Latief refuted the claim and appealed to the L-G to ensure justice for the family. On Friday, Latief met the Ramban DC, seeking the return of his son’s body.— PTI