2nd January 1991- When a Hindu cop was murdered but murderers were nameless

Religious discrimination isn’t a new term in the society. Over years, we’ve seen emergence of religious based violence shaping into overnight massacres and riots. Such violent moves put across the harsh reality of our secular society. One such case was witnessed yet overlooked years back, an incident that took place in Jammu and Kashmir but the nation still hasn’t forgotten.

 

 

The exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the valley began in the early 90s. It was the era of uncertainty. Hatred and violence took over the society. Kashmir was then ruled by National Conference party and had Farooq Abdullah as its Chief Minister. The atmosphere of insurgency could not be controlled by the state so it not only affected law and order but also its enforcers. An unfortunate incident that happened on the 2nd of January, 1991 only proved it further

 

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A Kashmiri Hindu Police officer named Omkar Nath Wali was serving J&K Police with utmost sincerity. He was an assistant sub-inspector at Police lines district, Anantnag when he was kidnapped and shot dead mercilessly. Omkar was miles away from his family when he was killed. The brutal incident wasn’t paid any heed by the then administration. Neither an FIR was filed against anyone nor the last rites could be performed post his death.

 

 

 

 

The case as many others became a mere mystery. Omkar was allegedly killed by his own fellow officers who were supporters of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, JKLF. Wali, a resident of Chak-i-Rajwati, Vessu, Anantnag left behind his old father Parmanand Wali, a wife, and two kids. Despite numerous appeals by the family, justice was never served to him and his murderers are nameless even today.

Religious chauvinism in the name of Islam, empowered by some anti-national forces only led to mass destruction and genocide of innocent people. If a similar incident happens today, it will become an interesting news story regardless the religion of the person but back then, no attention was paid to it. Overlooked or avoided, such incidents only show the true side of the corrupt nationalist entities.

There were ones who killed him and the ones who turned their back to a sincere cop’s mysterious death

Even today, we have absolutely no answer to Omkar Nath’s family and their numerous questions around his murder mystery. 29 yrs later, his mysterious death and the incident is recalled by none, yet this gives an insight into how separatists and anti-national forces were blindfold in the power.