- Night clashes in Kulgam village after alleged excesses by forces
- Bandipora residents protest army’s alleged excesses
Thousands of people Wednesday attended an anti-India rally called locally at Kaimoh in district Kulgam. Reports said that people from various villages assembled at Kaimoh and raised anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.
They pledged to continue the movement, sources said. They added Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani addressed the rally telephonically. The rally was peaceful so far. As per reports organising anti-India rallies in south Kashmir has become order of the day.
Clashes erupted in Pahloo village of Kulgam district in south Kashmir late Tuesday after government forces allegedly fired teargas shells into a peaceful sit-in against the detention of two youths.
Locals said that they had staged a peaceful sit-in at Pahloo Bus Adda at around 11 pm to protest the detention of two youths, Zameer Ahmad Bhat and Sharafat Rehman, who are in police custody since July 23rd.
“We were protesting peacefully when forces from nearby Devsar camp entered Pahloo village and started indiscriminate firing and heavy teargas shelling,” alleged a local who wished anonymity for fear of being targeted.
This triggered clashes that lasted for around two hours until 1 pm, he said.
Later, he alleged, forces barged into several houses, damaged property and caught hold of a youth and dragged him for several meters.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Showkat Ajaz told Kashmir Post that he has already dispatched a top official to ascertain the facts.
“I have sent Tehsildar to look into the complaints of residents and ascertain the facts,” he said.
Residents of Kehnusa area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora staged a protest against alleged excesses by the army on Wednesday. The protesters blocked Bandipora-Sopore highway, demanding action against the “erring” army officials.
The protestors alleged that army barged into their homes during midnight and beat up inmates without any provocation.
“Army’s 27 unit E company situated at Sangri top Watlab barged into our homes at around 3 am and started beating the inmates ruthlessly,” one of a resident alleged.
“They didn’t even spare women and children. They also broke window panes of our homes,” the protestors said.
However, a top army official stationed at Sangri top Watlab said that the residents of Kehnusa pelted stones on a Navy vehicle at 10:30 pm.
“Despite this, the men exercised maximum restraint,” he said.
A top police official said that they have met with the villagers and that the matter has been resolved. “The villagers are satisfied now,” he claimed.
