Day after ex-sarpanch's killing, mob sets ablaze his house, Mehbooba condemns

SRINAGAR: The tears of family members of slain ex-sarpanch and PDP leader Mohammed Ramzan Sheikh were yet to dry, when their house was torched by 'miscreants' on Tuesday, less than a day after the family had lost Sheikh to Hizbul terrorists.
In less than 24 hours after Sheikh, a former sarpanch and a PDP worker, was shot dead by Hizbul terrorists at his residence in Humhuna in Shopian district, the tragedy struck the unfortunate family twice at in south Kashmir, when a mob set on fire their house, so as to punish them for killing one of the two militants, who had barged into their home last night.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has condemned the dastardly act, asserting that it cannot be justified.
"I strongly condemn the killing of former Sarpanch Mr. Mohammad Ramazan and burning of his house at Humhuna Shopian," she tweeted, adding "Such dastardly acts can not justify or achieve any political goals."
On Monday night, Sheikh fell victim to Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists' bullets while one of the assailant was killed in the scuffle that ensued later with the family members.
A mob, mainly instigated by over ground workers of Hizbul Mujahideen, today attacked Sheikh's house while his family was grieving his death, the police said.
"It's simply inhumane. The tears of his kin had not even dried when they had to run for cover for their own lives. The family had not even condoled the death of their loved one properly before such a senseless act instigated by terrorists was perpetrated on them in less than 24 hours," Director General of state police S P Vaid said.
"Tears of two small daughters and two sons may not have dried off their cheeks and they had to witness inhumanity once again. It is a shameless act," he said.
Sheikh's family members had a scuffle with the assailants in which one of the terrorists identified as Showkat Ahmed was also killed.
As the mourners were gathering at the residence of Sheikh, a mob mainly comprising of over ground workers of Hizbul Mujahideen and other anti-national elements attacked the house, the police said.
Immediately, police swung into action and rescued the family members which included Sheikh's mother, Rafiqa, wife Nusrat Begum, brother Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, his two sons and two daughters.
Vaid said an FIR has been registered against those who attacked Sheikh's house. Strict action as per law will be taken against those involved in the incident, Vaid said.