Soldiers ‘thrash’ residents in Bandipora, several injured
Protests erupted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday against the alleged high-handedness of Army personnel. People in Takiya village of Saderkoot area of the district alleged that Army personnel from the nearby Ajas camp resorted to unprovoked harassment and thrashed residents after barging into their houses in wee hours today.
The protesters blocked Srinagar-Bandipora road at Takiya demanding action against the personnel involved in the incident.
“Without any provocation, the Army men from Ajas cantonment barged into residential houses and beat up inmates, including women and elders,” said Mehraj-Ud-Din Dar, brother of seriously injured Zahoor Ahmad Dar of Takiya Saderkoot.
“They also ransacked everything in our home and even didn’t spare my old father and women in our home,” Mehraj added. “The men fled from the spot after residents raised an alarm.”
A local resident, Zahoor Ahmad, said that Army men barged into the houses and started asked questions about a religious function organized by Saut-ul-Haq, an Islamic organization, last evening.
“They were livid, and started beating people after asking why such a religious function was held at the Takiya Masjid here,” he said.
“I was dragged from my house to the road. As they tried to bundle me in a vehicle, people from the whole village came out for my rescue. Seeing the crowd, Army men ran away,” said another local, Javed Ahmad.
As the protests continued today, heavy contingents of police arrived at the scene.
SHO Sumbal, Mehboob Banday, told that they are investigating the case; however DSP Sumbal, Rashid Akbar, said that it was just “a misunderstanding between locals and Army.”
“The case has been settled now. The incident doesn’t need to be given publicity,” he told this reporter.
Army, however, refuted the allegations saying that none of their men were involved in the incident.
“We are not involved in the act. This is just an allegation,” said Army Spokesperson of 13 RR.
“This is allegation and nothing else. They want to defame army in the area,” a spokesperson of army camp in Saderkoot said.
Commanding Officer, 13 RR Mansbal, Manoj Chaturvedi said that he doesn’t have any information regarding the incident.
The protests continued till late evening, however the people were later pacified on assurances by Additional DC Bandipora, SDM Sumbal and DSP Sumbal that action would be taken against accused Army men.
