Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeNationHandwara firing: Girl denies molestation by Army man, Kashmir remains tense as...

Handwara firing: Girl denies molestation by Army man, Kashmir remains tense as one more youth dies

- Advertisement -

A junior police officer was on Wednesday suspended for “mishandling” of the law and order situation in north Kashmir’s Handwara town that led to the killing of three persons and injuries to four others in firing by security forces.

Handwara firing-AV

“Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiq Ahmad has been suspended pending inquiries into Tuesday’s incident,” a senior police official said.

He said a magisterial probe and a departmental inquiry are being conducted into the incident.

A curfew was imposed in Handwara, located 85 kms from Srinagar, after protests broke out on Tuesday following the death of two youths in army firing. A third person, a 50-year-old woman, later succumbed to a bullet wound. The army fired shots to dispel a mob protesting the rape of a local girl, allegedly by army personnel.

Political parties attacked the chief minister over the firing while separatist leaders called for a shutdown of Kashmir Valley.

The army regretted the killings, but claimed it had video evidence clearing it of the rape charge.

“If you focus on the video released by us, it clears that there is no case of molestation. It is a malafide intent by some elements to malign the good image of army,” defense spokesperson N N Joshi said.

“Army regrets the loss of life. The matter is being investigated. Anybody found guilty shall be dealt severely as per law.”

Three persons — two youths and a woman — were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting mob which was protesting against alleged molestation of a girl by some of its personnel.

The girl has denied she was molested and accused two local youths of hatching a conspiracy. The Army has released a video statement of the girl’s statement in which she is saying that she simply went to nearby washroom along with her friend and suddenly a youth appeared before her and took her bag away.

As per her statement in the video, the boy then resisted her to come to nearby police station. In the meantime, the other youth shouted slogans and instigated violence.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar a “time-bound inquiry” into the Handwara firing. Mehbooba, who is on her maiden visit after assuming post of Chief Minister, met Parrikar and Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu separately.

In her meeting with Parrikar, she sought a time bound probe saying it will act as a deterrent against such incidents in future.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest

Must Read

- Advertisement -

Related News