Summary:
Srinagar, Nov 17 (PTI) Amid biting cold, the families of two civilians killed in the Hyderpora encounter in Srinagar held a candlelight vigil after a day-long protest here on Wednesday, demanding justice for the victims and the return of their bodies.
A controversy had erupted over Monday"s encounter in Hyderpora following conflicting claims about the two deceased civilians as their family members contested the police"s charge that they were "terror associates".
According to the police, a Pakistani terrorist and his local associate Mohammad Amir, along with two civilians -- Altaf Bhat and Mudassir Gul -- were killed in the encounter, where an illegal call centre and a terror hideout were allegedly being run.
On Wednesday, the families of Bhat and Gul held a protest at Press Enclave in the city, demanding that their bodies be returned to them as they were not linked to militancy.
Police had said the bodies of all the four killed in the encounter were buried in the Handwara area of north Kashmir"s Kupwara district.
After a day-long sit-in protest, the families held a candlelight vigil in the evening amid intense cold conditions across the Valley.