MLAs Protest Ganderbal Killing, Seek Probe

Hemani Kandhari 

2 April, 2026 : Tensions flared in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday as members from the National Conference (NC), Congress, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a strong protest over the killing of a young man in an encounter in Arhama, Ganderbal.

As proceedings began, legislators from both the ruling alliance and the opposition rose from their seats, voicing concern and demanding accountability. The protest centered around the death of 28-year-old Rashid Ahmad Mughal, with several MLAs alleging that the encounter was “fake” and calling for an impartial investigation.

NC leader Mubarak Gul emphasized the need to clearly distinguish between civilians and militants, condemning the incident. Former judge and NC MLA Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi raised humanitarian concerns, stressing that the family must be allowed to receive the body for last rites. He noted that the right to a dignified burial is a fundamental constitutional guarantee.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat questioned the fairness of a magistrate-led probe, arguing that administrative officials may face constraints that hinder impartiality. He instead advocated for a more independent inquiry. NC’s Mir Saifullah also pushed for either a judicial or magisterial investigation into the matter.

The protest also saw visible demonstrations inside the House, with Congress MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone displaying a poster condemning the killing.

Responding to the uproar, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather informed the Assembly that, according to media reports, the Lieutenant Governor had already ordered a time-bound inquiry to be conducted by a magistrate.

Yesterday Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also weighed in on the matter, stressing the importance of credibility and openness in such cases. “I believe the claim of the family should not be dismissed out of hand. At the very least this encounter needs a transparent & time bound probe with the facts made public. Any attempt to obfuscate or delay the announcement of a probe will only damage credibility & that is not in anyone’s interest,” he said.