Srinagar/June,13:Government Forces on Monday night according to locals unleashed a reign of terror in some hamlets of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
‘Encouraged’ by lack of accountability, the Indian soldiers according to locals have become habitual of barging into houses, thrashing people irrespective of their age and sex and causing damage to property. “They need an excuse to harass people and they enjoy it. Where ever they go, they create trouble for people. We feel unsafe and insecure in their presence,” said a group of people to news agency CNS.
According to locals from Vehil village of Shopian district shortly after Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in Champions Trophy Quarter Finals on Monday night, some excited youth set fire crackers in air to celebrate the victory of Pakistan cricket team.
The celebrations didn’t last for long as the army men from Chowdary Gund camp rushed to village and resorted to aerial firing. “They not only fired bullets in air but targeted everyone whom they found. These unbridled army personnel barged into houses and shops, caused massive damage to properties and even beat people black and blue,” said an elderly man from the village.
Locals sadi that they ransacked shops and smashed the windowpanes of houses. Many shopkeepers alleged that their merchandise was missing following the raid.
The anti-people action from army sparked massive protests in the area while people in large numbers hit to roads and chanted anti-India, anti-army slogans. “This is not the first time Kashmiri people have celebrated the victory of Pakistan cricket team. This has happened in past and this will happen in future too. You can’t crush the sentiments through force. This only depicts the frustration of those who don’t understand the psyche of people of Kashmir,” said a shopkeeper.
A top police officer said that they are investigating the matter.
In another such incident at Turkwangam village of the same district several people were wounded when the government forces allegedly barged into the houses and beat up locals on Monday night.
The forces’ personnel beat up the inmates and vandalized property after forcing their way into dozens of houses in Turkawangam village at around 11:30 of Monday night. For around next two hours, they ruthlessly thrashed people and damaged houses,” he said.
“The action was probably to avenge the stone-pelting incident that had occurred during the day in the area,” said a local.
They said that several wounded persons were shifted to a hospital in Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Srinagar based Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia while refuting the allegations said that their troopers are not involved in any ransacking or manhandling incident. “Our troopers are not involved in whatsoever has happened in Vehil and Turkawangam villages,” he said.
