Dozens injured in violent protests, one critical
Baramulla, May 13: Protests erupted in parts of north Kashmir Monday against the alleged rape of the minor Bandipora girl on May 08.
Dozen persons were injured, one of them critically, in violent protests in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday over the rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of Bandipora last week.
Reports said that massive protests erupted in Chenabal area of Pattan today morning with youth clashing with the security forces.
They said that the forces resorting to tear-gas shelling after the protesters pelted them with stones, resulting in injuries to over 12 youth.
One among them, identified as Arshid Ahmad Dar, was hit by a tear-gas shell in the head following which he was rushed to Srinagar in critical condition.
Violent protests were also reported from Mirgund, Harthrath, Singhpora, Jheel bridge, Kripalpora Payeen, and Hanjiwera which dozens of protestors and forces personnel including a commandant got injured.
“47 security forces personnel including one Assistant Commandant of SSB 2nd Bn (who sustained head injuries) were injured after miscreants pelted stones on the forces deployment made to maintain law and order. Utmost restraint was maintained by the forces on ground, however around seven miscreants got injured – they all are stable now,” SSP Baramulla Abdul Qayoom said in a statement issued here.
Reports of protesters clashing with the police and paramilitary forces were also received from various other parts of the Valley.
Pertinently, police have constituted a special investigation team to investigate the alleged rape case. The accused has been arrested.
SSP Bandipora, Rahul Malik said the SIT comprising SDPO Sumbal, SHO Sumbal and Senior Prosecuting Officer would investigate into the entire case.
He said the police “are treating the accused as major” and the certificate that was uploaded on the social media regarding the age of the accused was “fake”.
He appealed to the people to not pay heed to any rumours and have “faith in the police”.
A police official said the age of the accused has been determined on the basis of “medical test” conducted by a team of senior doctors which shows the accused is around 20 years of age.
