The three civilians killed in Army firing in Handwara were laid to rest amid tears and sobs.
The funeral prayers of Nayeem Qadir Bhat were offered at Higher Secondary School Grounds in Handwara town before being buried at the local martyr’s graveyard on Wednesday afternoon. Personnel of police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength at both the places. Despite curfew-like restrictions, a large number of people attended the funeral.
A group of wailing women could be heard eulogizing Nayeem’s cricketing skills while cursing the government and Army.
Iqbal Ahmad Pir and Raja Bagum were laid to rest in their native graveyards, a day after troopers of 21 RR opened fire on protesters at Handwara square.
At Shalpora Bramrie village of Drugmulla Kupwara, the crowd swelled in numbers by the time the body of 23-year-old Iqbal reached the village in an ambulance. His body was taken in a procession to the local graveyard where he was buried amid anti-army, anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
Iqbal, the eldest son of a mason, was declared brought dead by doctors at District Hospital Handwara. He had received bullet in his head. Iqbal was working as a runner at a DTP shop at Handwara. He dropped out of school to help his father in earning bread for the family. Iqbal is survived by his parents, a sister and three younger brothers.
Raja Bagum, who was also hit in the head, was referred to SKIMS Soura where she breathed her last. Hundreds of people had assembled at Langate to receive her body since morning.
