DSP lynched by mob outside Jamia Masjid; CM issues warning

Srinagar, June 23 (PTI): A deputy superintendent of police was stripped naked and stoned to death by a mob outside the historic Jamia Masjid here in a bizarre incident which drew all-round condemnation, including from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and separatist Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Describing the incident as “shameful”, the Chief Minister wondered how long the police would show restraint as she warned that there could be a backlash if the force loses patience.

Mirwaiz, who delivers sermons at the historic mosque in old Srinagar city’s Nowhatta area every Friday after prayers, condemned the incident, saying it was “outside the parameters of our values and religion”.

DSP Mohammad Ayoub Pandith was stripped and stoned to death by the mob at around 12.30 AM today when he was caught allegedly clicking pictures of the people coming out of the mosque after ‘Shab-e-qadr’ prayers, police sources said.

When the mob attacked him, Pandith opened fire from his pistol, injuring three persons.

“The DSP was posted at the access control of the mosque to prevent miscreants from vitiating the atmosphere so that people could offer prayers in peace. But a few among those, for the security of whom he had been deployed there, lynched him,” Director General of Police S P Vaid said terming the incident as “very unfortunate”.

Quoting preliminary investigation, the police chief said the mob attacked the DSP when he was coming out of the mosque after checking the access control.

The mob then went on a rampage, targeting empty security pickets in the area. Police reinforcements were rushed to restore normalcy in the area.

Vaid said two persons have been arrested so far and a third has been identified.

“All of them (involved in the lynching) will face the law,” the DGP told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath- laying ceremony for the slain officer at district police lines here.

He said an investigation into the case is on.

Asked whether the slain officer was there for the security of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference, the DGP said, “Mirwaiz does come there. It was a sacred occasion yesterday and thousands of people were expected at the mosque and security was made for them.”

Defending the firing by the officer in which three persons were injured, Vaid said, “The DSP was carrying a pistol and he had the right to self-defence.”

The incident took place when Muslims across Kashmir were observing ‘Shab-e-Qadr’ (the night of power) involving night- long prayers and supplications in the mosques and shrines.

The Chief Minister said the Jammu and Kashmir Police was one of the best police forces in the country and was showing maximum restraint in dealing with law and order situation.

They are brave but are showing maximum restraint because they feel that they are dealing with their own people. But for how long? The day their patience wanes, then, I believe, things will be difficult,” she said.

Mehbooba was speaking to reporters after attending the wreath-laying ceremony for the slain officer.

Mehbooba said the officer had not gone to the mosque for personal work but was there to protect the lives of the people and fulfil his duty.