Shopian residents allege thrashing, vandalism by soldiers; army denies allegations

Shopian: The residents of Ratnipora village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday alleged that the army vandalised the property and thrashed several locals late Thursday night.

Residents of Ratnipora village told Greater Kashmir that army personnel of 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) laid a siege to the village, in the dead of night, and launched a door to door search operation.

They alleged that during the searches, the army men beat-up many residents and also smashed the windscreens of their private cars.

Resident also alleged that the army men damaged the cell phones of several villagers.

However, the Army rejected the allegations.

Army’s Srinagar based defence spokesman, Rajesh Kalia, told Greater Kashmir over phone that all the allegations were baseless.

“It is an attempt to malign the army. None of our men is involved in such activity,” Kalia said. (GK)