Srinagar, Nov 18 (KNS): Stating that he has nothing to do with the inquiry ordered by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha into Hyderpora encounter, national conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the bodies of civilians, killed in Hyderpora, be exhumed in Handwar and handed over to their families for a dignified burial.

Omar Abdullah along with party leaders held a sit-in at a local park in Sonwar area of Srinagar to protest against denial of handing over of bodies of civilians killed in Hyderpora encounter to their families for last rites.

Talking to reporters, Omar Abdullah, as per Kashmir News Service (KNS), said that he has nothing to do with the magisterial inquiry ordered by LG Sinha into Hyderpora encounter, but all he wants is that the bodies of slain civilians be handed over to their families. 

He said that he had decided not to hold a sit-in protest but what compelled him was the way the families of slain civilians were treated last night when they were holding a peaceful protest at press enclave Srinagar to press for the demand of returning the bodies of their loved ones.

He said that he couldn’t control his emotions and decided to join the protest and raise the demand for return of the bodies of slain civilians to their families for last rites.

“The police have itself admitted that civilians were killed in cross fire then why deny handing over of bodies to their families. I want their bodies be exhumed from Handwara and be handed over to their families so that they can have a last glimpse of their loved ones,” he said.

Omar also said that he has never heard of the term “hybrid militants” even when he chaired the meetings of Unified High Command during his tenure as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)