Listen to this article:

Srinagar: The Chenab valley in the Jammu region continued to remain tense for the second consecutive day on Saturday (July 18) after a civilian was shot and killed in an alleged scuffle with police.

Hundreds of mourners visited the home of 30-year-old Arif Hussain in Derana Bhala village in Bhaderwah, who was allegedly shot by police on Thursday night. He was declared dead at Doda district hospital on Friday.

The killing sparked a shutdown and protests in parts of Doda and Kishtwar districts, with Hussain’s family, local groups and political leaders demanding an independent investigation into the incident.

“I want answers from the police. Why was my husband killed? What was his fault? Why is the blood of poor people so cheap that anyone can make it flow on the roads?” Muneeba Begum, Hussain’s wife, told The Wire over the phone.

Eight months pregnant, Muneeba is expected to give birth to their third child. She also has a son, while the couple earlier lost a girl child.

Hussain’s killing is not the first tragedy to have visited the family.

In 1999, Hussain’s father, a special police officer, was killed by militants when Arif was just three years old. Following his death, Hussain’s mother remarried. Arif was the youngest among two siblings.

Muneeba said her husband, who had a mini load carrier vehicle, had accompanied a group of animal traders from the area after they promised to pay him Rs 11,000 for a few days’ work.

“He only went to earn some money so that we could manage expenses for my delivery,” she said.

She recalled speaking to him for the last time at around 7 pm on Thursday. “He called me and told me he was returning home. He asked me to keep dinner ready.”

The killing has ignited a huge outcry from the public, who are demanding swift action against........

© The Wire