Avoid excessive force in Jammu and Kashmir: Amnesty

Srinagar, Feb 11: Human rights group Amnesty International Wednesday asked security forces to avoid use of excessive force against protestors in Jammu and Kashmir.

"On Feb 9, 23-year-old Farooq Ahmad was killed and three others injured, when CRPF personnel fired live ammunition at unarmed protestors, some of whom were throwing stones, in Baramulla district," Shemeer Babu, Amnesty International (AI) India programmes director, said in a statement.

The incident occurred when protestors defied curfews and staged demonstrations in several towns across Jammu and Kashmir to mark the two-year anniversary of the secret hanging of Mohammed Afzal Guru, it added.

"Security force personnel in Jammu and Kashmir must avoid excessive use of force while policing demonstrations," the statement said.

The Jammu and Kashmir police have said they will conduct a criminal investigation into the killing. Authorities have also ordered an inquiry by a magistrate.

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