NC workers shot dead ahead of poll

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Two days ahead of polls, which is going to begin by October 8. militants have killed two Nation Conference workers and injured one in broad daylight in Srinagar on Friday. With this incident they have sent a message to the people and government as well. Ironically both deceased had joined mainstream after leaving their gun. With this incident militant has sent message across the state especially who have either left militancy or planning to join mainstream.

It happened in a congested locality of Karfari Mohalla in Srinagar’s old city when bike-borne militants opened fire at three persons around 11.15 am.

“All three persons were rushed to hospital where two of them succumbed to their injuries. We suspect two militants were involved in the attack,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police Vidhi Kumar Birdhi.

The deceased were identified as Nazir Ahmad of Choto Bazar and Mushtaq Ahmad of Sonarkul Nawab Bazar, were former militants. Nazir was the constituency in-charge of sitting NC MLA Habbakadal Shamima Firdous. He is survived by his wife and ailing parents. Mushtaq was an NC worker. The injured, Shakeel, was NC constituency president and owns a butcher shop at the locality where the shooting took place.

Talking to media, a deceased family member said “Nazir had gone to meet Shakeel and we don’t know why he was shot dead.” The NC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that is boycotting the upcoming municipal and panchayat polls. The first phase of polling for the municipal elections will be held on October 8 and the counting will be held on October 20.

It would be the first major political killing after the announcement of the elections. The militants have been frequently issuing threats to the contesting candidates and asking people to boycott the polls.