Srinagar: Police on Wednesday suspended a constable pending an enquiry into the killing of a youth in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Tuesday. 

Gowhar Ahmad Rather, 22, who was shot and injured by the government forces at Kangan on Monday, succumbed at SKIMS hospital on Tuesday.

According to Rather’s family, police shot a bullet into his head when he tried to resist the detention of his brother during clashes in Kangan.

SSP Ganderbal Fayaz Ahmad told a local news agency that constable Gulzar Ahmad has been placed under suspension in connection with the death of Gowhar.

“Consequent upon his prima facia involvement in case FIR No. 18/2018 u/s 307 RPC Selection Grade Constable Gulzar Ahmad (belt no. 422/Gbl) is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending enquiry,” reads an order issued by the SSP, the report said.

The police have already ordered a departmental inquiry into the killing to be headed by DIG central Kashmir. Separately the district administration has ordered the magisterial inquiry to be completed within 20-days.

The departmental enquiry follows police’s initial claims that Gowhar died after being hit on the head with drainage edge while falling during the chase of protesters by police. However, medical reports rebutted police claims confirming what locals stated that he was fired upon from close blank range by police.