Prisoner of Srinagar jail dies; relatives protest

A prisoner, arrested on the charges of drug peddling five years ago, died at a hospital here today, sparking protest by his relatives who demanded an inquiry into the death.
"Mushtaq Ahmad Gilkar was lodged in Srinagar Central Jail and fell ill. He was rushed to nearby Rainawari Hospital in downtown city where he died," a police spokesman said.
"Police has taken cognizance of the matter," the spokesman said.
40-year-old Gilkar, a resident of Kolipora locality of Khanyar, was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 2009.
As Gilkar's body was handed over to his relatives, they along with other people took to the streets in his locality and blocked road, demanding an inquiry into the death of Gilkar, officials said.

They said the protesters dispersed off peacefully after they got an assurance from senior police officers that the cause of the death was being investigated.