Alleged Molestation Charges Against Army Jawan Lead to Protests
Trouble began in Handwara, Kashmir on Tuesday when locals accused an army jawan of allegedly molesting a local girl. This resulted in clashes between the army and a stone-pelting mob.(Hindustan Times)
Four Casualties in Army Firing
Four people have lost their lives after the Army firing on Tuesday. Curfew has been imposed in Handwara following the incident. (Times of India)
Two casualties, Muhammad Iqbal (22) and Nayeem Bhat (21), were reported as the army opened fire to disperse the crowd.
Raja Begum (55) had succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital on Wednesday morning. Another person injured in the firing on Tuesday also succumbed to injuries while under treatment later in the day, reports NDTV.
Budding Cricketer Among the Four Victims
Nayeem Bhat was a budding cricketer and had been part of an Under-19 national level camp for cricketers in the past. IBNLive reports he was also a student of Government Degree College, Handwara.
J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti Condemns Incident
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has assured exemplary punishment and strict action against the guilty after meeting with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Delhi on Wednesday morning.
Such tragic incidents have a huge negative impact on the efforts of the government and political leadership in bringing peace to state.Mehbooba Mufti
She also added on Wednesday that the Defence Ministry has assured her that a probe would be initiated on the matter.
I’ve spoken to the Defence Minister who has assured me that there will be an inquiry, those responsible will be punished and at the same time families of the victims will be fully compensated.Mehbooba Mufti
Army Expresses “Regret”, Uses Video to Deny Molestation Charge
The Kashmiri girl says in a statement recorded on a mobile phone that she was abused and harrassed by a boy, but makes no mention of an army jawan.
While the army “regrets” the attack, and says it’s unaware of the source of the video, it points out that the girl does not accuse an army soldier of molesting her.
The Indian Army has expressed regret at the incident, reports Deccan Chronicle.
Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty will be dealt as per the law.Army Spokesman
Four youths were killed and three others injured on Tuesday as security forces opened fire after clashes with a stone-pelting mob in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said. A police officer has been suspended for opening fire on Kashmiri locals during the protest.
Trouble erupted after locals said that a girl had been molested by an army soldier in the town. The alleged molestation by an army personnel lead to a crowd of 500 people surrounding the main army post in Handwara.
Following appeals for a valley-wide shutdown by separatist leaders to protest Handwara firing, authorities on Wednesday imposed restrictions in six police station areas of Rainawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal and Maisuma in Srinagar city.
District Magistrate Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone, has said the imposed restrictions will not apply to the members of the Sikh community who are free to move about in areas placed under restrictions because of the Sikh festival of Baisakhi.
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