Iranian Girl Killed: Was She an Angel or War Devil?

In a common attack like mass bombing there is ample chance for women being killed. But a direct combat with a woman that too a civilian, is different. If the woman carried weapon or was leading a bloody revolt then there is justification for killing her.

There is reason to murder her. Of course, she can be interrogated or put to trial. But, there is no justification in shooting her from a hide out. In this case, there was no threat of any sort from the killed girl, nor she had carried weapons. She was not staging demonstration or delivering a provocative, explosive speech.

Neda Agha Soltan(26) was the poor victim of the Iranian securityman’s wrath.. She belonged to a middleclass family. She was happy, serene and spiritual minded with a sense of humour. Though she had studied Philosophy and religion at the Azad Islamic University she was more spiritual than religious. But, to the Iranian securityman she looked like powerful symbol of opposition and threat to the Government.

US President Obama said:’ It is heart breaking’. ‘ And I think anyone who sees it knows there is something fundamentally unjust about it.’

. Neda was wearing a baseball cap, blue jeans and tennis shoes. She did not seem to be observing the demonstration. She was not taking part in the anti Government demonstration going on for a week.

She was really stuck in the traffic for more than an hour inside her car. The airconditioner in the car was not working and so, she decided to get out for some fresh air.

It was then the most unfortunate thing happened. She was shot down by the security man. She was felled by a single shot wound. Several men were seen trying to save her. They were kneeling near her and placing pressure on her chest in an attempt to stop bleeding. Blood was flowing out of her nose and mouth like an endless stream.

Most shocking was that the security man prohibited mourning for Neda. Under Muslim tradition , the 7th and 40th day after death are devoted to mourning.

Her body was buried in Behesht e- zahro cemetery in Tehran. The security men disbursed a crowd of abot sixty people attending the funeral function. The Government sources feared the incident would become a focus of opposition ‘s protest.

It is said that the Paramilitary forces had clearly targeted her.

Neda was a few streets away from the venue of opposition demonstration.

Though apparently she had no links with the opposition, the whereabouts of her co passengers were not known. She was accompanied by two persons apart from her music teacher and best friend Hamid Panahi. The military men had reason to believe that the group was on their way to participate in the opposition demonstration against the Government in the election issue. In the election Mir Hossein Mousavi was defeated by 11million votes. He demanded re election blaming that there had been foul play in the election. But, according to the religious supremo Ayatollah Khamenei there is no chance for

Such allegations as the difference of votes was 11million. The opposition demonstration turned violent and there was attack from the part of the military force. Nine were killed in the military operation excluding Neda.

In the cemetery the authorities had set aside space for the victims in the demonstration. Neda also was buried in the same spot. Some of the officials sought permission to use her body parts for transplants. Their motive behind this was unknown. However, the family agreed to the demand with a view to avoid obstacles in burying her.

With killing of Neda, there is possibility for a strong protest by the women of Iran which may strengthen the opposition. There was a rumour spread in Tehran that Neda was in the video named on Mousavi site.

Neda in Pharsi language means angel of freedom and naturally, Neda has been described as ‘ Iran’s angel of freedom vowed to protest against injustice.

Some sources say that Neda was accompanied by her father. He was said to be wearing a blue and white striped Tshirt . Neda was wearing dark colored head scarf. But the video was said to be not clear to confirm this

The photographs circulated in the name of Neda were fake, some sources said.

But, it is still a mystery why she was shot dead. The killer Basj soldier was hiding from one of the roof tops of the civilians

Let us hope the mystery will be cleared soon