| Srinagar |
Updated: May 6, 2020 12:45:48 am
The body of 14-year-old Hazim Shafi Bhat, who was physically challenged, was buried 40 km from his home, in a graveyard reserved for unidentified militants. (File Photo)
Police have refused to hand over the body of a teenager, who died in “crossfire” when militants targeted a joint forces checkpost in Handwara on Monday, to the family.
While this is the first such instance of denial of the body of a civilian to the family, J&K Police said the decision was taken so that funeral crowds could be avoided amid the pandemic.
The body of 14-year-old Hazim Shafi Bhat, who was physically challenged, was buried 40 km from his home, in a graveyard reserved for unidentified militants.
“We requested officials to hand us the body, but nobody listened,” Mohammad Shafi Bhat, Hazim's uncle, told The Indian Express. “If we want to pray at his grave, we will have to travel to another district.”
Kupwara DC Anshul Garg told The Indian Express that the decision was taken to avoid funeral gatherings. “The COVID crisis was the only reason. We helped family members attend the last rites in Baramulla district,” he said.
Hazim was buried at Sheeri in the border town of Uri. The graveyard there is…
