SRINAGAR: The police inspector who was allegedly beaten by soldiers on Mughal Road was on way to Srinagar to see his ailing mother, reports appearing in the media said. The case has already led to the registration of a police case against a Major rank officer and 10 others of 16-RR.
Identified as Inspector Sameer Jeelani, reports said the Station House Officer (SHO) Rajouri was on his way to Srinagar to see his ailing mother who is admitted to SKIMS.
Jeelani, in his civvies, was accompanied by his personal security officer and they were driving in a Scorpio SUV. As his vehicle reached Poshana at around 2 pm, the Army stopped him and refused to allow him. They said they lack orders to permit him to move to Srinagar. It was on this the SHO revealed his identity and purpose of visiting Srinagar.
“There was some exchange of heated arguments on both sides then Army jawans dragged SHO to the nearby unit where Major Pandey, a CHM and about a dozen jawans beat up the SHO,” Jammu newspaper Daily Excelsior reported. “Four Police jawans also deployed at the post for joint checking, were taking food and rushed for the rescue of the police officer.”
This triggered a crisis. As the details of the incident were flashed across, cops from Bahram Galla Police Post reached Poshana. They were later joined by SSP Poonch, Vinod Kumar and SDPO and SHO Surankote. From the army side, Brigadier and Commanding Officer of the 16-RR also reached the spot.
Cops were furious over the incident and disagreed to bury the hatchet. They later went back and registered a formal case against the Major and his soldiers. The FIR 234/ 2021 was registered under Sections 341/342/323 IPC at Police Station Surankote, against Army Major Santosh Pandey, JCO Naresh, Sepoy Gagan.
The residents alleged the Poshiana check-post has undone the Mughal Road as it ensures there is no moment on the road. Most of the people from Pir Panchal still use the Jammu-Banihal road to reach Srinagar. This checkpoint takes away almost a day in permitted a person, locals alleged. This was perhaps why that Poonch-Rajouri had to create a public moment to demand that the road be permitted for the use of Covid19 patients wishing to be treated in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Telegraph Kolkata reported from Jammu that the Army has ordered an internal inquiry into the alleged assault of a police officer by its personnel.
“Terming the reported altercation between the police and the Army as unfortunate, the sources said the one-off incident is an aberration to the excellent work being done by both the security agencies in ensuring a secure environment,” the newspaper reported. “Serious cognizance has been taken by the hierarchy and due legal proceedings have been initiated, which include ordering of internal enquiry by the Army, an Army officer said.”
