Dozens Injured After Army Soldiers Allegedly Go Berserk In Shopian Village

Shopian: Locals from a South Kashmir village Wednesday requested police to register an FIR against army soldiers who according to them let loose a reign of terror in the middle of the night.

A large number of people from Mashward village of Shopian district approached police and narrated the ordeal.

They urged upon police to lodge an FIR against the soldiers who according to them are habitual of barging into houses and terrorizing people.

The locals alleged that on Tuesday night army soldiers barged into the houses, assaulted people and damaged property without any provocation.

“They thrashed over a dozen people who sustained injuries and have been hospitalized,” the locals told news agency CNS adding that the soldiers action was uncalled far as the village has never witnessed any untoward incident including stone-pelting.

“It was a hell like situation. We were treated like cattle. Our women folk shivered with fear and they hid themselves. A youth when asked soldiers to stop breaking the law, they pounced upon him and hit him with gun buts and jack boots,” said an elderly man.

“The soldiers not only beat people but also damaged cars and bikes in the village that has no record of stone pelting,” said Irshad Ahmed adding that even the headman of the village was not spared.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shopian, Dr Jaffar Akhoon said that nine injured persons allegedly assaulted by the army were brought to Rajpora hospital of Pulwama for treatment.

“We referred many of them to SMHS Srinagar for advanced treatment,” Akhoon said.

Srinagar based army spokesman, Colonial Rajesh Kalia while terming the allegations baseless said that:

“None of our solider are involved in any kind of manhandling, assault and damaging public property in the village,” he said.

SSP Shopian Sandeep Sharma told CNS that he is right now talking to villagers who have come to meet him.

“Matter is being investigated,” he added.(CNS)