Shopian: Alleged vandalism by Army in South Kashmir’s Shopian district sparked a massive protest while people blocked the Shopian-Kulgam road at Narwah disrupting vehicular movement for hours.
Locals who assembled on the road alleged that on Monday evening Army soldiers from 44 Rashtriya Rifles barged into scores of residential houses, damaging and ransacking property, thrashing people irrespective of age and sex and even they set a motor bike on fire.
“They were brutal and didn’t spare even women and elderly fellows. The Army unleashed a reign of terror,” said a protester adding that government forces entered into the village at Iftaar time when people were rushing towards mosque.
“They damaged everything they saw. Scores of parked private vehicles were damaged and even they hurled stone on the residential houses. We made announcements from the local mosque seeking help. Before villagers assembled to stop them, forces burnt a bike and beat some locals,” they said adding that Army probably attacked the village for celebrating the India’s defeat in ICC Champions trophy against Pakistan.
Reports said that Naib Tehsildar along with police and civil administrative officials rushed to spot to pacify the protesters. They assured investigation into the matter.
A police official from the district feigned ignorance and said he does not have information about the incident.
Srinagar based Defense spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia vehemently denounced the allegations saying that no soldier was involved in any ransacking, thrashing or damaging property in the village.
