Srinagar: Tension mounted in the old city after a CRPF vehicle run over and injured two youngsters during protests in Nowhatta area after the Friday prayers. One of the two youngsters hit by the vehicle succumbed to his injuries. The vehicle had run over them trying to manoeuvre the stone-pelting mobs.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered two FIRs against the CRPF’s Srinagar unit in Nowhatta under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapons) and 279 (rash driving) among other sections.
The incident occurred when some youth shouting pro-freedom slogans tried to lead a march from Jamia Masjid area of Nowhatta. When they reached the main chowk they pelted stones on the security force posse.
Some youth blocked the road and tried to stop the CRPF bulletproof vehicle and attack the officers. Some protestors even climbed atop the vehicle.Sanjay Sharma, CRPF spokesman at Srinagar, said the stone pelting mobs tried to lynch the second in command of the battalion when he was checking the deployment of the troops in Nowhatta area,
“Some 500 to 600 people gathered around his vehicle when he was checking the deployment of troops in Nowhatta area. The mob tried to take him out of the vehicle and lynch him. Somehow he was protected. Some people even climbed atop his vehicle and damaged it with big rocks”, said Sharma.
“The driver somehow managed to take the vehicle away from the spot”, said Sharma.
Former CM Omar Abdullah criticised the state government writing on Twitter: “”Ceasefire means no guns so use jeeps. Earlier they tied people to the fronts of jeeps and paraded them around villages to deter protesters. Now they just drive their jeeps right over protestors. Is this your new SOP @MehboobaMufti sahiba?”