Srinagar
Thousands of people including women and children led by Langate lawmaker Er Rasheed carried out a huge protest march against the ransacking of homes, beating up of inmates and cricket-playing youth in Sarmarag village of Handwara on the day of Eid by Army and SOG personnel.
“In a dastardly incident, Army men of the 6 RR alongwith SOG cops pounced on the secluded hamlet Sarmarag on Eid afternoon, beat up the passersby, ransacked homes and thrashed inmates. They rammed into the village playground where youth of Sarmarag and adjoining villages were playing cricket. They were beaten ruthlessly and their cell phones snatched,” Rasheed said in a statement.
“The villagers gave an SOS call to Er Rasheed who rushed to the village and led a huge protest demonstration agonist the high-handedness of the Army and SOG.”
Speaking to the protesters amid anti-Army and pro-resistance slogans, Rasheed warned New Delhi of dire consequences if it doesn’t mend its ways. “Let the Home Minister explain if ransacking the homes of civilians without any reason was the real message, or the Eid video message of him?” He questioned.
“The way security forces beat up youth and fired dozens of rounds to disperse the protesters is condemnable. Let the police prove its loyalty to the law and take stern and time bound action against the goons in uniform,” Rasheed demanded.
Later Rasheed lodged a complaint with the Police Station Zachaldara and also spoke to the senior police and civil officers asking them to register an FIR against the Army and SOG involved in the incident, or face the public wrath.
