Srinagar: Protests erupted on Saturday in Kupwara district of north Kashmir when a youth went missing while another was severely beaten and has been hospitalised in a critical condition with the locals alleging that were taken into custody by Army. Police has registered two separate FIRs against army, one for attempt to murder and another for kidnapping and abducting in order to murder.
Villagers of Kakarpati village of Devar Lolab told news agency GNS that Army picked up two local shepherds from forest area of Trimukh upper reaches of Lolab which is connected to Bandipora district.
“Two youths namely Manzoor Ahmad Khan and Nasrullah Khan, who are natives of Kakarpati but presently put up in Trimukh as the people move in summers to graze their cattle, were called by Bandipora based 27 RR of army for some questioning but were than beaten ruthlessly,” the agitating locals alleged.
They demand to whereabouts of Manzoor Ahmad Khan who, along with Nasrullah Khan, was allegedly taken into custody by army men last night.
The local said that while Nasrullah has been released, the fate of another namely Manzoor is not known. They expressed concern about his well-being and demanded his whereabouts.
Nasrullah was admitted at a local hospital for treatment but the doctors referred him to SKIMS hospital here, they said.
Official sources said to GNS that the duo was picked up by army on suspicion for questioning.
Sources said that police have traced Manzoor’s mobile phone number at Dangerpora Sopore but his whereabouts are still not known.
Official sources informed that senior army officers are rushing to Devar to assess the situation.
GOC- Kilo Force told reporters that as per entry record, Manzoor is shown to have entered army camp and has later gone out immediately. “We are investigating and we share more on it with you,” the officer said.
SSP Kupwara said told GNS that police has constituted a special team to ascertain the case. “The team was deputed to the site and are investigating the matter,” he said. the police pacified the protesters with assurance that those found involved will not be spared.
Meanwhile official sources said that police has registered two separate FIRs—62/2017 under RPC sections of 307 (attempt to murder), 342(wrong confinement), 323 (voluntary causing hurt) and 63/2017 under sections of 342 and 364 (kidnapping and abducting in order to murder)RPC in police station Lal Pora and both FIRs have been registered against army Major Nishan and his men.(GNS)
