We demand Judicial Inquiry in Jalil and Nausheer death case – Umar
Mangaluru: “The bodies of Jalil (49) and Nausheer (23) who lost their lives in the police firing on December 19 were brought to the Al-Ihsan Masjid, Vas Lane for prayer. After the Namaz, the bodies were sent to their respective Mosques for burial. 2 persons died and 6 others were severely injured in yesterday’s incidents. All the injured are admitted to various hospitals and are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. The police could have avoided firing at the protesters and solved the problems, this was preplanned by the police to stop our voice”, said the president of Muslim Writers forum U H Ummer in a press meet held at the Masjid -ul-Ehsaan premises at Vas Lane here on December 20.
Addressing the mediapersons Ummer said, “In this democratic country, everyone has the right to protest when there is any injustice done. On December 19, our youth voluntarily protested against the CAB. We were expecting that some untoward incidents may take place in the city as the police force was well prepared. On December 18, students from various colleges had protested voluntarily. The police may have been expecting protests and imposed section 144 in the city. On December 19 also some youth not belonging to any organisations protested voluntarily. Unfortunately, two persons died in the police firing. This firing at the protesters was preplanned. We demand the government for a judicial inquiry in this case.
Ummer further said, “Our leaders from Udupi and DK held a meeting on December 18, to hold a huge protest on December 28. Actually we were going to hold a huge protest on December 28 but before that, some of the youth from our community protested voluntarily. Any compensation from the government will not bring back the dead, we request the government to provide compensation to the families of Jalil and Nausheen.”
Advocate Ashraf from PFI said, “In our constitution, everyone has the right to protest when there is any injustice. Now because of the government’s plans to implement CAB people have started to protest. When police impose section 144, and the section is violated, as per the law, the police should first announce and warn the protesters about the section in place and ask them to disperse through loudspeakers. Even after that, If they continue to protest the police have the right to resort to mild lathi-charge. The police don’t have the right to fire on vital body parts, they can only shoot below the knee. On December 19 afternoon about 100 youth gathered near the DC office but the police chased the protesters and resorted to lathi-charge. They did not even care about the students who were returning home from school and college. Here the deceased Jalil was shot in his eye near his house gate in front of his wife and while Nausheen was running for his life during the lathi charge, he was shot in the back. In the firing Asif, Nasir, Imran, Abu Saleh, Nizam and former Mayor Ashraf have also been severely injured. The police have killed two persons to stop others from raising their voices against the CAB. They want us to accept whatever law the government brings without raising our voice”.
Advocate Ashraf further said, “Nizam who is studying in Mangaluru and was going back after having dinner at Hotel Narayan was shot in the chest. The doctor has said that if the bullet that is lodged in the chest is removed, there are chances that he may die. Jalil was residing in Pandeshwar and there were only 6 persons at the spot has shot at. Jalil had just come out of his house gate to go to the Mosque for prayers when he was shot point-blank in front of his wife. But the police say that Jalil had come to set fire to the Bunder police station and in retaliation, the police had opened fire. Nausheer during the lathi-charge was running for his life and was shot in the back. Journalists were also assaulted and their cameras were destroyed. Today morning two journalists were taken into custody. Maybe it was the order from the government to shoot since the government is conspiring to make us second citizens”.
Advocate Ashraf also said, “Former Mayor Ashraf was called to the spot by the Police commissioner to control the mob. When Ashraf was controlling the mob someone fired and the bullet passed by the side of his head. Ashraf has undergone surgery and is now out of danger. The police also entered the hospital in Highland where the assaulted the family members of two deceased persons near the ICU. The police have created fear among the people by imposing a curfew”.
Addressing the mediapersons Mohammed Kunhi said, “On December 19, around 150 people had gathered in front of the Bunder police station to protest but the Police commissioner says that 7000 people had gathered and surrounded the Bunder police station to set it on fire. In retaliation, the police had opened fire. We demand justice and a judicial investigation in this incident. Through the media, we request the people of Mangaluru to maintain peace in society. All the leaders have called for peace and I request the community members to maintain peace and harmony. We have already discussed holding a huge protest on December 28 with all our leaders.”
Kassim Mohammed from Hidayat Foundation, Nasim, Ashraff KK and Ashraf K PFI were also present.