Sopore youth laid to rest amid protests

Srinagar, Jab 4: Hundreds of people on Thursday took part in the last rites of a 25-year-old Arif Ahmad, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Sopore outskirts on late Wednesday.
Arif Ahmed Sofi son of Muhammad Maqbool Sofi resident of Wahipora Unisoo, was presently living at Herwan Bomai Sopore (maternal home).
He was laid to rest amid sobs and tears as hundreds turned up for his funeral in his native village.
According to reports, hundreds of people were waiting for the body of the deceased at Unisoo. The mourners were shouting pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans as they marched towards the native village of slain Arif.
The slain Arif’s father Mohammad Maqbool Sofi is a chairman of People’s league. His father said some unknown persons came to their house and dragged Arif, the lone breadwinner, out of the house and pumped bullets on his body.
Arif was shifted to nearby Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Earlier, protests erupted in Unisoo village on Thursday morning against the killing of a youth.
According to reports, people from the area gathered and protested early morning while the body was on its way to the native village.

Mirwaiz condemns Sopore youth’s killing
Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar, Jan 4: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Thursday condemned the killing of a youth in Sopore town of north Kashmir.
“Deeply saddened and strongly condemn the killing of 25-year-old Arif Ahmad of Sopore by unknown assailants, killing human beings in every form is cowardly and against humanity”, Mirwaiz wrote on Twitter.

BJP says Arif was active party worker
Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar :Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leaders and Kashmir unit condemned the killing of 25-year-old Arif Ahmad Sofi in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district last night.
Reports said that BJP state president, Sat Sharma, state general secretary (Org) Ashok Kaul, state general secretary and incharge Kashmir affairs Dr Narendra Singh and BJP Kashmir unit in an official statement said that they are deeply saddened over the brutal murder of party worker by militants.
“Pained to learn about the brutal murder of our worker in Sopore. Our deepest condolences to his family. Militants must realise that they cannot stop the youth of the valley from choosing a better future for themselves,” they said.
“Killing human beings in every form is cowardly and against humanity,” the leadership said, adding, militants could not stop the youth from choosing a better future.
Sofi was working with a pharmaceutical agency is survived by two brothers and three sisters and a differently-abled father.