Gujjar youth killed in Jammu police-peddler crossfire; 2 cops suspended, face probe

A major row erupted when a youth belonging to the Gujjar community was killed during a crossfire between the police and drug peddlers in Jammu city on Thursday evening. Various leaders of political parties, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Late on Friday, two police personnel — Head Constable Baljinder Singh and Constable Pawan Singh — were placed under suspension and a deparmental investigation was ordered against them. Also, a magisterial inquiry was initiated into the incident.

The incident took place when a police team was chasing drug peddlers and came under fire from the suspects in Sure Chak area under Satwari police station. An official statement by the police read, “A small police team was chasing suspected drug peddlers. Preliminary reports indicate that the party was fired upon in the general area of Mandal under Satwari police station. In cross-firing, one unidentified person got injured and was shifted to GMC Jammu”.

The youth has been identified as Mohammad Parvez (21), son of late Rehmat Ali of Javed Nagar, Nikki Tawi. Parvez succumbed to the bullet injuries at GMC Jammu where his family members and other community leaders protested against the police alleging it to be a fake encounter. It has so far not been clarified by the Jammu police whether they were chasing Parvez and his associate or did he become a victim of cross-firing with the drug peddlers.

CM Omar Abdullah criticised the killing and stated on X, “The killing of Mohd Parvez of Niki Tawi in Jammu is highly unfortunate and deeply regrettable. Use of force by the police has to be calibrated and cannot be indiscriminate. 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. My condolences to the family of Mohd Parvez”.

Former minister and senior BJP leader Chowdhary Zulfikar said, “One person belonging to the Gujjar community has reportedly been killed in an encounter at Jammu. Inhabitants of the area and prominent community members have reached out to me, stating that the deceased was not involved in any illegal activity. This incident follows other recent incidents in Jammu, causing widespread outrage among the Gujjar community. The community demands a free, fair and unbiased probe into the matter.” National Conference Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed expressed anguish over the encounter and said, “It is a broad daylight murder. A fast-track investigation should be done and strict action should be taken against the officials involved. My solidarity and sympathy with the victim’s family.”

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti said a tribal youth was killed by the police yesterday. “He’s now been labelled as a drug dealer. But even if that may be the case, we still live in a democratic country where justice is served through the rule of law as opposed to khap panchayats or kangaroo courts. Sincerely, I hope the DG takes cognisance of this shocking incident by ordering a time-bound impartial probe,” she said.