KL Report
SRINAGAR
The victims of Chenigam encounter in Kulgam who lost their houses Saturday alleged that Army ‘intentionally’ razed their houses to ground. They said IED was planted even on those houses, which were far away from the encounter site.
Abdul Hamid Dar who lost his house, cow shed and live-stock in the encounter told CNS that Army not only used IED but made free use of mortal shells to damage the houses in the locality. “It was a blatant lie that militants were hiding in any house. No, they were not present in any house but were roaming in narrow lanes when they were ambushed by Army and CRPF,” Dar said adding that militants frustrated every attempt of Army to neutralize them and in a bid to scare and restrict their movement, the Army razed seven houses to ground without any reason and justification.
He however added that Army soldiers did not touch or harass any civilian and paved way for their safe evacuation.
Pertinently, two local militants Muhammad Abbas Mala and Malik Manzoor were killed in an encounter with Indian Army at Dar Mohalla Chenigam in Kulgam District on Friday.
“I lost everything. I am even not able to feed my family. Everything present in house vanished. I am thankful to the people who supported us and have been collecting money and ration for us,” village headman Sanullah Dar who also lost his house in the encounter told CNS.
Seven houses of Dar family have been destroyed completely by Government Forces. The area presents a gloomy look while people mostly women were seen collecting some valuables from the debris of their devastated houses. The families of Ghulam Rasool Dar, Sanaullah Dar, Abdul Jabbar Dar, Muhammad Ismail Dar, Muhammad Arif Dar, Ghulam Hasan Dar and Abdul Hamid Dar have been putting up in temporary tents while some local organizations according to them are busy in collecting money and ration for them. “Winter is approaching and we are worried about our children,” a gloomy faced old lady said.
