Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's security downgraded as police probes his role in Ayub Pandith's lynching

In a major move, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to downgrade the security of Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The move will come as a major blow to Mirwaiz, especially with the police also probing his role in the killing of deputy superintendent Ayub Pandith, reported Republic.

Pandith was lynched to death by a violent mob on 23 June, when people were observing Shab-e-Qadr — a night-long congregational prayers outside the Jamia Masjid in the old city of Srinagar, when a group of youths found a “few people moving suspiciously” outside the premises of the mosque in Nowhatta. [caption id=“attachment_3778615” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Reuters[/caption] Police are probing the presence of separatist leaders in Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, where Ayub Pandith was lynched. Jammu and Kashmir director general of police SP Vaid had said that the investigation was on, but definitely, his (Mirwaiz’s) men are “involved in the murder”. “He was murdered by the same people whose protection he was ensuring. Those who were involved would face the law,” Vaid had said. Mirwaiz was earlier placed under house arrest as he was heading towards Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar for the Friday prayers.