Soldiers thrash J&K cops, leave 8 injured

Eight policemen were injured when they were allegedly thrashed by Army personnel after the cops stopped private vehicles carrying the soldiers in civil dress on the Srinagar-Leh highway near Gund in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal on Friday night.

The incident occurred when police naka party stopped the cavalcade of Army personnel, who were returning after darshan at the Amarnath Holy site, citing safety rules to be followed for the yatris. The rules forbid yatris from travelling during night to ensure their security given the July 10 attack on pilgrim bus at Botengoo that left eight pilgrims dead and 19 injured.

This allegedly provoked the troops who allegedly thrashed the police leaving eight policemen including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) injured. Later, the troops from nearby camp allegedly joined and barged into the police station at Gund and ransacked it, breaking furniture and smashing glass panes.

"A naka is established in yatra jurisdiction every day at 6 pm till 6 am next day. They (troops) were in civil dress and were traveling in four Sumo vehicles. They said they are from 24 Rashtriya Riffles and are going to the camp. I requested them that I will talk to my senior officers in this regard and then allow you. However, they assaulted us. I was left unconscious and was taken to a hospital by the locals," said Ghulam Rasool, the ASI who suffered head injuries in the assault.

Police have registered a case under different sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against the Army personnel involved in the incident.

"Senior officers of the Army reached the spot and have assured us that they will hold a court of inquiry into the matter. Anybody found involved in the matter will be brought to book," said Fayaz Ahmad Lone, senior superintendent of police, Ganderbal.

However, the Army played down the matter saying the issue has been resolved mutually by the two sides.

"A minor altercation took place yesterday night between some Army personnel returning from Amarnath Yatra in civil dress and JKP personnel at Gund. There was no major injury and the matter has been resolved by the personal intervention of senior officers. Measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents have been taken," said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, Defence spokesman at Srinagar.