Srinagar, Aug 21: At least fifteen people, including eight policemen on Saturday were injured when violent protests broke out over the alleged molestation bid by an Army man in Arampora area of frontier Kupwara district.
Reports and eyewitnesses told KMW that hundreds of people of Arampora this afternoon took to streets and staged demonstrations to protest the alleged molestation attempt on an 8-year girl by a
Territorial Army trooper identified as Sajad Ahmad Khan. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters were demanding stern punishment for the accused trooper who tried to tarnish the chastity of the minor.
As the protests gained intensity, CRPF and police burst numerous tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, the protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces triggering off fierce clashes.
The ding-dong battles left at least 15 people, including eight cops injured.
Five youth identified as Abdur Rashid and Mohammad Yusuf, sons of Abdur Rahim Sofi, Riyaz Ahmad, son of Ghulam Qadir Hajjam, Rais Ahmad, son of Ghulam Mohammad Rather, all residents of Arampora and Altaf Ahmad, son of Ghulam Nabi Hajjam of Hanga, Handwara were arrested by police during the protests.
The trouble, according to eyewitnesses started when a youth observed that the TA trooper was trying to molest a small girl in the area. When objected, eyewitnesses said the trooper thrashed the youth to the pulp.
“The news spread like wild fire in the area. Scores of people came out on roads and staged protests. Some youth also thrashed the accused Army man,” Sheikh Ejaz, an eyewitness said.
“Violent clashes erupted after the incident.
CRPF and police burst tear smoke shells while Army opened several shots in air to control the protests,” he added.
However, police refuted the allegations.
“The TA trooper frequently played with the small children in the area.
The girl was playing with him when some youth leveled false allegations against the trooper and thrashed him,” Station House Officer (SHO) Kupwara, Musadiq Abbas told.
“The allegations are totally baseless,” he added.
Reports and eyewitnesses told KMW that hundreds of people of Arampora this afternoon took to streets and staged demonstrations to protest the alleged molestation attempt on an 8-year girl by a
Territorial Army trooper identified as Sajad Ahmad Khan. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters were demanding stern punishment for the accused trooper who tried to tarnish the chastity of the minor.
As the protests gained intensity, CRPF and police burst numerous tear smoke shells and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters. In retaliation, the protesters pelted rocks and stones on the forces triggering off fierce clashes.
The ding-dong battles left at least 15 people, including eight cops injured.
Five youth identified as Abdur Rashid and Mohammad Yusuf, sons of Abdur Rahim Sofi, Riyaz Ahmad, son of Ghulam Qadir Hajjam, Rais Ahmad, son of Ghulam Mohammad Rather, all residents of Arampora and Altaf Ahmad, son of Ghulam Nabi Hajjam of Hanga, Handwara were arrested by police during the protests.
The trouble, according to eyewitnesses started when a youth observed that the TA trooper was trying to molest a small girl in the area. When objected, eyewitnesses said the trooper thrashed the youth to the pulp.
“The news spread like wild fire in the area. Scores of people came out on roads and staged protests. Some youth also thrashed the accused Army man,” Sheikh Ejaz, an eyewitness said.
“Violent clashes erupted after the incident.
CRPF and police burst tear smoke shells while Army opened several shots in air to control the protests,” he added.
However, police refuted the allegations.
“The TA trooper frequently played with the small children in the area.
The girl was playing with him when some youth leveled false allegations against the trooper and thrashed him,” Station House Officer (SHO) Kupwara, Musadiq Abbas told.
“The allegations are totally baseless,” he added.
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