- Vehicle enters Nowhatta, runs over two youth
- Driver sensitively took vehicle out of crowd: CRPF
Notwithstanding the new deployment plan of J&K Police for Friday congregation prayers at Jamia Masjid, a vehicle of the paramiltiary CRPF entered in Nowhatta area of Srinagar downtown after Friday prayers and ran over two youth, injuring one critically.
Soon after Friday prayers, youth started a protest demonstration during which a CRPF vehicle passed by Nowhatta area and ran over two youth, injuring one critically.
The critically injured youth was identified as Muhammad Younis of Fateh Kadal while other’s identity was not ascertained.
The injured duo was shifted to JLNM hospital, Rainwari where from they it was referred to SKIMS, Soura for specialised treatment.
Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr Farooq Jan said Younis’ condition was critical.
“A 24-year-old youth from Fate Kadal has suffered serious chest injury and fracture. He is on the ventilator and is critical,” he said.
Another injured youth suffered facial bone fracture injury and is under treatment at SKIMS.
Superintendent of Police North City Srinagar, Sajad Ahmad Shah said Police has taken cognizance of the incidents – stone pelting as well as the “accident” involving CRPF vehicle.
“We lodged two cases regarding the incidents and further investigations have been taken up,” Shah said.
Two separate FIRs have been registered in the case. An FIR No 18/2018 under section 307, 148, 149, 152, 336 and 427 of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered in stone pelting incident and FIR No 19/2018 under sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 RPC has been registered into the incident involving CRPF vehicle.
CRPF’s Srinagar-based spokesman, Sanjay Sharma told Kashmir Post that the incident was a “mere accident” as the vehicle was trying to get out of the crowd.
He said the second in command of 28 CRPF battalion was taking stock of security deployment and on reaching Nowhatta, the vehicle he was travelling in was surrounded by people.
“The mob tried to take the officer and his escort out of vehicle and tried to lynch them. The CRPF vehicle was hit with stones and the CRPF personnel didn’t fire pellets or shells. Some youth stepped over the vehicle and started smashing it with stones, then the driver sensitively managed to take the vehicle out of crowd,” Sharma said.
The incident happened despite police adopting a new deployment plan in and around Nowhatta to avoid clashes between protestors and government forces.
Police had devised the new deployment plan to facilitate Friday prayers and main law and order in consultation with the civil society and traders of downtown.
According to a Police official, the deployment plan would continue next Friday as it would facilitate prayers in Jamia Masjid.
Last month, J&K Police too mowed down a youth, Adil Ahmad Yadoo at Noor Bagh area.
A viral video clip had showed a bullet-proof mobile bunker mowing down Yadoo and speeding away while J&K Police first termed it as an “accident” and later said it would take action against the police vehicle.
President of Sher-e-Khaas Traders Association, Nazir Ahmad Shah condemned the incident saying the government had adopted a hard approach toward the area.
“People from peripheries were not allowed to offer prayers at Jamia Masjid today. No one wants violence. Government should think of making better arrangements as the Masjid holds sanctity but the authorities adopt a hard approach,” Shah said.
