Srinagar, Feb 8 (KNS): All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has strongly reacted to the media reports of lodging of FIR, against several persons including the father of the youth Athar Mushtaq of Pulwama who along with two others was killed in Lawaypora in a questionable “encounter".  

Quoting media reports, the APHC in a statement to KNS said that "even the police had said that the slain youth were not listed as militants in their records, still the father of Athar, who held a peaceful protest outside the Jamia Masjid Pulwama demanding return of his son’s body for performing the last rites was booked by police along with half a dozen persons."

The APHC termed it shameful and unfortunate that on one hand, the body of an innocent youth was not handed over to the family for last rites; and on the other side, an FIR was lodged against the father. "This amounts to rubbing salt to the injuries of the bereaved family, it said in a statement to "Kashmir News Service" (KNS).

The APHC urged the human rights organisations to take cognisance of the action by authorities and intervene so that justice is  served to the bereaved family and that the body of Athar is returned to them.

"Such measures by authorities are not only the worst form of political vengeance but highly condemnable as well,"the APHC said.

Meanwhile, the APHC has paid glorious tributes to the Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and the illustrious son of the soil  Muhammad Afzal Guru on their 37th and 8th anniversaries and hailed their  contribution.

"The history of sacrifices rendered by the people of Kashmir and the leadership for their rights is so glorious that it cannot be forgottenthat one must not lose hope with the changing times,." Statement reads.

"Whatever be the situation, we must keep up our courage and resolve and continue to pursue the vision and mission for which the sacrifices of innumerous lives and properties are being rendered from 1931 in general and 1947 in particular," the APHC said in a statement to KNS.