Doda police firing: Auto driver killed during checkpoint operation, twin probes ordered

New Delhi ,July 23: The death of 30-year-old autorickshaw driver Arif Hussain in an alleged police firing in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district has triggered widespread protests across Doda and neighbouring Bhaderwah, prompting the district administration to suspend mobile internet services. Authorities have ordered two separate inquiries into the incident.

 

 

According to police sources, the incident occurred during the intervening night of July 16-17, when a checkpoint had been set up following intelligence inputs about suspected cattle smuggling. Hussain, a resident of Cheeka village in Doda, was returning from Bhaderwah after driving a group of passengers to the tourist destination of Jai Valley.

 

Police sources claimed that when the vehicle was stopped, some passengers who allegedly had previous cattle-smuggling cases against them attempted to attack the police personnel and snatch their weapons. During the scuffle, a constable's automatic weapon allegedly discharged accidentally, and Hussain was struck by a stray bullet. He succumbed to his injuries while being taken to a hospital in Bhaderwah.

 

While the police are yet to issue an official statement, two investigations have been initiated one by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and another by Doda District Magistrate Krishan Lal to ascertain the circumstances leading to the firing.

 

Five people travelling with Hussain have been apprehended. Officials claimed that most of them have previous cases related to cattle smuggling, while two had earlier been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Police have also registered an FIR against unknown persons under charges including attempted murder, assault on public servants, theft, and obstructing government officials from performing their duties.

 

 

Hussain's family has disputed any wrongdoing on his part, maintaining that he was merely hired as a driver by local traders for a leisure trip to Jai Valley, a popular tourist destination located around 32 kilometres from Bhaderwah. According to his uncle, Amjad Hussain, the group had offered him around ₹10,000–11,000 for the trip. On the evening before the incident, Arif had called his pregnant wife, Muniba Bi, informing her that he was returning home and asking her to keep dinner ready.

 

Instead of returning home, police officers arrived at the family's residence around 2:30 am on July 17, informing them that Arif had been injured and shifted to a hospital. By then, he had already died.

 

Arif Hussain is survived by his pregnant wife and their three-year-old son. His family said he had faced hardships throughout his life. His father, Mohammad Iqbal, a Special Police Officer (SPO), was killed by militants in 1999 when Arif was just three years old. After completing Class 12, Arif began working as an autorickshaw driver to support his family.