J&K constable suspended over death of 21- year-old Gujjar youth arrested

According to officials, a special investigation team probing the death of the 21-year-old has also confirmed that the deceased was involved in narcotics smuggling. 

Jammu: Two months after a 21-year-old Gujjar youth died in exchange of fire between a police party and some drug peddlers on the outskirts of Jammu city, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested its own selection grade constable for allegedly killing the youth.

Constable Pawan Singh has been booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). According to officials, a special investigation team probing the death of the 21-year-old has also confirmed that the deceased was involved in narcotics smuggling.

Political leaders demanded open justice

Political leaders of all stripes, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and chief minister Omar Abdullah, had demanded an open and prompt investigation into the issue.

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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the incident as highly unfortunate and deeply regrettable. “The use of force by the police has to be calibrated and cannot be indiscriminate,” Omar Abdullah wrote in a post on X, adding: “J&K has paid a heavy price in the past because of incidents such as these… This incident should be investigated in a transparent and time bound manner. I send my condolences to the family of Mohd Parvez. May Allah grant him Jannat”.

Former chief minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also took to X, saying, “Mohammad Parvez, a tribal youth, was killed by the police… He’s now been labelled a drug dealer, but even if that is the case, we still live in a democratic country where justice is served through rule of law as opposed to khap panchayats or kangaroo courts.”

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Anti drug operation was carried out

Police said the raid was carried out as part of an anti-drug operation, claiming the 21-year-old was killed in retaliatory fire after officers allegedly came under attack. However, the police faced widespread skepticism and sharp criticism.

The Gujjar community had protested loudly after a police officer killed a 21-year-old Gujjar youth.