Families of martyred Kashmiri youth reject compensation

In occupied Kashmir, the families of Kashmiri youth, martyred by Indian police and troops across the territory, have rejected the compensation offered by Indian government against the killing of their beloved ones.

The family members of Tufail Mattoo, 17, who was hit by a police teargas shell on June 11, talking to the newsmen said that their beloved one had laid his life for the noble cause. “We cannot sell the blood of our martyrs. We will never accept any compensation even if we are paid Crores of rupees,” they added.

They said that rupees five lac announced by the Indian Home Minister, P Chidambaram could not bring Tufail. It may be recalled that Tufail died instantly after he was hit by a tear smoke canister fired by police in Rajouri Kadal.

Abdul Qayoom Butt, father of Umar Qayoom, 17, who was killed during police action against peaceful protestors in late August, said, “I had a son among three daughters and he was my support for life. The money offered as compensation can not give me my child.” He said that the police and CRPF personnel first ruthlessly beat up and severely injured Umar and then kept him in custody for 24 hours, which resulted in his death due to non-provision of medical aid.

Demanding stringent action against the guilty policemen, he said that his son had sacrificed his life for the liberation movement and the martyr’s blood would not be allowed to go waste. “The police did not even registered First Information Report (FIR). They injured 50 mourners who were carrying the body of my son,” Butt deplored.

It is pertinent to mention here that over 110 innocent Kashmiris, mostly teenagers, have fallen to the bullets or teargas canisters fired by Indian police and troops in past over three months. So far, not a single guilty trooper or policeman has been arrested.