Three Cops injured, Car, Police vehicle set on fire in Rajouri

Residents protest killing of youth by rashly driven car

After a youth was dragged and crushed to death by a rashly driven car near District Hospital at about 9.30 pm on Sunday, residents of the area held violent protest against the police alleging delayed action against the accused.
Protesters also set on fire a “Rakshak” vehicle of the police near the hospital and car of the accused near the Khandli bridge. In the police-public clash, which continued till 11.30 pm, three policemen received injuries.
Twenty-year-old Danish Malik, son of Ghulam Qadir, was on his way home along with his friend Rizwan Mirza on his Scooty when he was hit from behind by a rashly driven car, bearing registration No JK02B-3846, at about 9.30 pm.
The pillion rider received multiple fractures in the legs, while the deceased was dragged by the car up to 100 metres. The accused along with his friend fled from the spot towards Jammu in the car.
“The accused was drunk and after covering about 3 km he again hit the car with a roadside retaining wall near Khandli bridge and was caught by people. The police were provided the car number of the accused by people, but they failed to stop him at three police nakas, which irked the people” said S Khan, an eyewitness.
Another eyewitness Mohammad Iqbal said, “Had the accused stopped the car immediately after the accident, the life of Danish would have been saved.”
Irked over the delayed action by the police, people clashed with them near District Hospital and also pelted them with stones. During the clash, windowpanes of C-Block of District Hospital were also damaged.
A few protesters rushed towards the Khandli bridge and set the car of the accused on fire. The accused and his friend have been identified as Jai Ram and Surinder, respectively. Both are resident of Gawalior (MP).
The accused along with his family members and some friends is putting up in a rented accommodation near District Hospital. They prepare sweets and sell to shopkeepers in Rajouri and Poonch.
Rajeshewar Singh, SSP, has assured the people stringent action under law against the accused, who has been booked under Sections 302 and 109 of the Ranbir Penal Code.
Meanwhile, the police have also registered a case under Sections 332, 336, 341, 353, 435, 457, 429 and 147 of the Ranbir Penal Codeagainst the unidentified persons who have damaged/burnt the police vehicle and pelted policemen with stones.