Fear in Kupwara as forces damage property worth crores

Fear is writ large on the faces of residents of Panzgam area of Kralpora in Kupwara district. After two days when army men allegedly wreaked havoc in the village, residents have not come to terms and are in a state of shock.
Haffeza Begum (name changed) while narrating the incident said, “There was firing and tear gas shelling outside. Army men broke the gate of our home and entered inside. They broke household goods and everything. We hid ourselves in the upper storey.”
Residents alleged that computer shop of one Nazir Ahmad who is physically challenged was completely damaged by army men.
Gulam Hassan Mir said that some cash and gold was stolen by forces from their house. He said that army men broke the LCD TV, refrigerator and scooty.
Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh while showing the broken glass said that army broke the windows, all the furniture and household belongings of the area causing them loss of crores of Rupees.
“Two vehicles of Ghulam Nabi Mir were also damaged,” locals said while showing the damaged vehicles.
Situation took ugly turn in Punzgam on Sunday around 3:30 PM when forces brought down a green flag which was hoisted on a mobile tower in Mundor Mohalla some four weeks ago.
Residents protested against this and forces called additional contingents. They allegedly started thrashing the locals and damaging the property. It was like a doomsday in the area, locals said.
Forces later resorted to firing and tear gas shelling to disperse the protestors in which two youth were injured.
Locals demand that the matter may be investigated and an FIR against the forces may be lodged.