The Hindu : Front Page : Traders' leader shot dead in Sopore

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Monday, May 24, 2010
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Traders' leader shot dead in Sopore

Shujaat Bukhari

J&K Chief Minister Abdullah describes the assailants' act as cowardly

The body of Ghulam Nabi Khan, who was shot dead in Sopore, being carried for the funeral.

SRINAGAR: Militants on Sunday shot dead a prominent businessman in the north Kashmir town of Sopore. The Traders' Federation has called a protest strike against the killing on Monday.

Police sources told The Hindu that Federation's Sopore president Ghulam Nabi Khan was shot point blank while travelling in a horse-cart in the main chowk.

Mr. Khan was taken to a hospital, but declared dead on arrival. The militants, the sources said, managed to escape.

The killing resulted in panic in the town and the markets soon closed. Police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

Thousands of people gathered at Mr. Khan's home as his body was taken there. Mr. Khan was a popular businessman in the town and his murder has enraged the traders, who have called for a strike to protest the “senseless murder.” Mr. Khan was buried later.

Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Farooq Ahmad, has ordered an investigation into the killing. A few months back, a cable network owner was also killed in Sopore.

Both mainstream and separatist leaders have condemned Mr. Khan's murder. A number of Ministers, headed by Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, rushed to the town and condemned the killing.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Mr. Khan was a popular trader and a sincere human being. The Federation president will be remembered for his great contribution in uniting various traders' federations and maintaining harmony among various sections of society, he added.

Calling this a barbaric and a cowardly act, Mr. Abdullah said forces who were not happy with the peace and tranquillity in the State had an ugly agenda to target popular personalities like Mr. Khan.

Mr. Sagar said this was the handiwork of elements who did not want peace and stability and were out to kill innocent and respectable people. Further, he said, being the president of the Federation, Mr. Khan was most popular and championed the cause of the traders.

Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Geelani condemned the killing. His spokesperson said the leader was saddened after hearing the news. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference, the People's Democratic Party, the National Conference and the CPI(M) also condemned the killing.

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