Scores of shells were fired upon the funeral of little Junaid Akhoon when mourners were carrying his body towards Martyrs Graveyard at Eidgah Srinagar on Saturday morning.
Junaid Akhoon, a 12-year-old school boy, was hit by pellets fired by men in uniform on Friday afternoon. He was rushed to SKIMS Soura from his home in Saidapora area of Eidgah. However, he succumbed to his injuries around 2 AM during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
Reports coming from Eidgah said that thousands of people had reached his home when his dead body was brought from SKIMS Soura around 6 AM. The funeral marched towards Eidgah for final rites.
“But hundreds police and CRPF men were already deployed near Aali Masjid,” reports said, “the funeral was yet to cross Aali Masjid towards Eidgah that men in uniform started shelling tear gas canisters to disallow mourners to bury the kid in Eidgah.”
“The dead body is lying on ground as mourners have been pushed back,” a Photo-Journalist who reached the spot early morning said, “media men have been clearly told to stay away from the funeral.”
Further, reports said that situation went of control as soon as the news spread that Junaid has died. “Pellets were fired in Saidapora area and a few persons were injured as well,” reports said. “One pellet injured was brought to SKIMS Soura around 7:40 AM,” sources said, “he has been hit by pellets in back and his head.”
