KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Protests erupted in Bandipora town after five villagers were severely thrashed by forces in their village.
Five persons, including a woman, were severely beaten up by arm and SOG of police in Chuntmulla village in Bandipora district.
Army and police have been jointly carrying searches of the area to find out militants from the last few weeks, officials said.
“Today morning, army’s 44 RR and police’s SOG cordoned off our village. They ruthlessly beat up four men and a woman,” locals said.
Agitated over the “ruthless” beating by forces, the villagers carried the injured men with them and descended down towards Bandipora town to “highlight” the issue with the administration.
The villagers were demanding action against the army and SOG men who thrashed their kin.
But as they reached Madar area, police were deployed there to foil their attempts to reach the town.
Reports said that police fired teargas shells to disperse off the protesters. However, the protesters succeeded in reaching the town and blocked the road.
“Soon, the Additional Deputy Commissioner reached the spot to pacify the protesters. Three of the injured were rushed to SKIMS for treatment,” eyewitnesses said.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Sajjad Hussain Ganaie, confirmed to KNS that the army has beaten up the villagers and he has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“It is a fact that army has beaten up some youth in Chuntmulla village. Their families and other villagers protested against the army. The villagers pelted stones toward the army. I have ordered an inquiry into the incident which will be headed by ACR Bandipora, Masarrat Hashim, and also directed the police to register an FIR.” the DC said.
The deputy commissioner said that five persons were injured, out of the them three severely injured were rushed to SKIMS, Soura.
Senior Superintendent of Police Bandipora, Shabir Ahmad Choudhary said that the police are verifying the facts about the beating of the villagers by forces.
“Two persons, a woman and a youth, were injured,” he said.
