Police on Wednesday suspended a police constable pending inquiry into the killing of Gowhar Ahmad Rather, the 22-year-old youth who was injured in police action at Kangan on Monday and succumbed later.
SSP Ganderbal Fayaz Ahmad told that constable Gulzar Ahmad has been placed under suspension in connection with the death of Gowhar. “Consequent upon his prima facia involvement in case FIR No. 18/2018 u/s 307 RPC Selection Grade Constable Gulzar Ahmad (belt no. 422/Gbl) is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry,” reads an order issued by the SSP, a copy of which lies with GNS.
The police have already ordered a departmental inquiry into the killing to be headed by DIG central Kashmir. Separately the district administration has ordered the magisterial inquiry to be completed within 20-days. Gowhar had sustained serious firearm head injuries on Monday late afternoon and was taken to SKIMS Soura where he succumbed to injuries after 20-hours.
The departmental inquiry follows police’s initial claims that Gowhar died after being hit on the head with drainage edge while falling during the chase of protesters by police. However, medical reports rebutted police claims confirming what locals stated that he was fired upon from close blank range by police.