Policeman poses militant, opens fire for extortion, held

Soura up in arms, demands case of attempt to murder

A policeman of the infamous Special Operation Group (SOG) of JK Police masquerading as militant was arrested in Soura area of Srinagar Tuesday  evening while his accomplice managed to flee from the spot.
The incident sparked off massive protests in the area prompting the police to book the accused on charges of extortion though people said they wanted “attempt to murder case also be registered.”
Reports said that two policemen of SOG Component Tral barged into the house of Ghulam Muhammad Wani. Training guns, the duo introduced themselves as Jaish-e-Muhammad militants and demanded money from the inmates.
Reports said at the time of their entry into the house, the male members including the family head and his son were out for prayers at a nearby Masjid. Soon after their return past prayers, the family members managed to overpower the gunmen. However one of them managed to flee taking advantage of darkness. The other one, caught was identified as Bilal Ahmed Ganaie of Gulab Bagh Zakura.
The Wani family said the gunman fired at least four rounds and one of the bullet pierced into his own foot. He has admitted in nearby SKIMS Soura.         
The protesters said: “Earlier on April 27, the same man tried to barge into the same house but Police Station Soura did not take any cognizance of the complaint.”
As news of policemen masquerading as militants for extortion spread, people took to streets Wednesday blocking the main road for hours. They demanded stern action against the accused.
Meanwhile a police party from Soura police station headed by Station House Officer visited the area and recorded the statements of the family members. 
A police official said that a case vide FIR number 48/2014 under section 393, 457 of RPC has been registered against Bilal Ahmed Ganaie. He said that a probe has been ordered to “ascertain the facts”.
Meanwhile the locals of adjoining Lal Bazar and other areas said the SOG men could have been behind thefts in the area in the past few days. “There have been incidents in the recent past when burglaries took place on gunpoint… Now, this is our firm belief now that the  accused could be infamous SOG men,” the residents said.

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