Srinagar: The mysterious deaths of two tribal youth and the disappearance of a third in Kulgam district have sparked outrage, with grieving families blocking the highway and demanding a thorough investigation.
The victims, Riyaz Ahmad Bajad (25) and Muhammad Showkat Bajad (18), along with Mukhtar Awan of Chandian Pajan, went missing on February 14 while on their way to attend a wedding in Ashmuji village, 15 kilometers away. The trio, working as laborers, never returned.
A month later, their bodies were recovered from the Vaishow stream. Riyaz’s body was found on March 14, while Showkat’s was retrieved today. The search for Mukhtar Awan continues, with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams scouring the stream.
Inspector Laxman Ram of the NDRF confirmed the recovery of two bodies and ongoing efforts to locate the third. “This morning, we recovered one body, while another was retrieved two days ago. Searches are still underway,” he told reporters.
However, the families remain unconvinced by official claims that the deaths resulted from drowning. Dr. Azia Manzoor, Head of Forensic Medicine at Government Medical College Anantnag, stated that the initial post-mortem of Riyaz Bajad indicated antemortem drowning, with no visible external or internal injuries. However, families argue that the Vaishow stream had low water levels in February due to a prolonged dry spell, making drowning an unlikely cause. They are demanding a judicial probe into the incident.
Led by tribal activist Talib Hussain, the victims’ families staged a protest on the highway, prompting senior police officials, including SSP Kulgam Sahil Sarangal and DIG South Kashmir Javaid Ahmad Matoo, to intervene. The officers assured the families of a fair investigation, urging their cooperation.
BJP leader and former minister Choudhary Zulfkar has urged Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene, calling the case a “serious concern.” National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the police’s handling of the protests, calling it inhumane.
“These deaths must be investigated transparently, and both the tragedy and police brutality must be addressed,” Mehdi said.
