New Delhi (Sputnik): A school teacher, identified as Rizwan Asad Pandit, of Awantipore in the India-administered region of contested Kashmir died in the custody of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), according to reports. The deceased was by picked up by the NIA three days ago on suspicion of engagement in terror activities and was lodged in the CARGO camp of the Special Operations Group (SOG), according to the Jammu and Kashmir police.
The state police have requested a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the actual cause of death.
"In pursuance of a militancy case investigation, one suspect Rizwan Pandit r/o Awantipore was in police custody. The said person died in police custody. In this matter, while following the procedure laid down in section 176 of Indian penal code a magisterial enquiry is underway", a statement issued by the state police reads.
Meanwhile, intense clashes erupted between security forces and residents of Awantipora protesting the death of Rizwan. All commercial establishments remain closed in the area, with the administration indefinitely suspending internet services to avert a flare-up of violence, according to reports.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the killing of 27-year-old Rizwan, calling it an "unacceptable development".
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Another senior head and former chief minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti, said that the "repressive approach" adopted by the Indian government is pushing youth towards militancy.
Earlier on Monday, security agencies detained at least 11 people, including a prominent religious cleric from south Kashmir's Pulwama district, for being "terror suspects".