KL Report
SRINAGAR
A complete shutdown was observed in Aali Kadal locality of Old City on Tuesday against alleged excesses committed by Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the area.
According to locals, CRPF men from 44 Battalion let loose a reign of terror in the locality on Monday night and beat shopkeepers and pedestrians without any provocation.
“I was about to close down my shop when a party of CRPF personnel armed with lathis and weapons pounced on me. They thrashed me mercilessly and without any reason ransacked my shop,” a shopkeeper of Aali Kadal told CNS.
Same views were expressed by other locals of the area who accused that CRPF personnel from 44 Battalion frequently beat shopkeepers and pedestrians after the sunset. “Police has failed to bridle these ‘uncontrolled goons’ in Uniform. We appeal to the District and police administration to take action against these erring Forces personnel,” a local resident said.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed while people including shopkeepers staged a peaceful sit-in and demanded stern action against the CRPF personnel.
Superintendent of Police City North, Tahir Saleem told CNS that unidentified persons pelted stones on a CRPF patrolling in Aali Kadal area on Monday night. “CRPF retaliated and according to locals they were beaten by men in Uniform. We are looking into the matter and we have assured the locals swift action against anyone who takes law in his own hands,” he said.
CRPF spokesperson, Kishor Prasad told CNS that some people resorted to stone pelting which left few of the jawans of 44 Battalion injured. “Our men chased them away and during the action some shopkeepers were injured,” he said adding that after the intervention of local police shopkeepers ended their strike.
