Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNS): Residents of Habba Kadal area of Srinagar Saturday staged massive demonstrations against the alleged use of force by paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and demanding removal of the bunker.
The protesting residents of the area told KNS correspondent that CRPF men went berserk without any provocation on Friday evening. “They (troopers) barged into the houses and broke the windowpanes of many houses and also fired teargas shells,” locals alleged.
The protesters also blocked the main road which led to a disruption of traffic for some time. “Though the CRPF claimed that youth pelted stones on them but there was no provocation at all for such highhandedness. CRPF men threw stones at our houses and damaged the window panes,” one of the local resident alleged.
They protesters demanded immediate removal of the CRPF bunker. “It is of no use there. Troopers without any rhyme or reason have beaten the residents and ransacked houses on many occasions in the past,” residents added.
“They will keep on harassing us if their bunker is not removed. We want to live in peace but they (troopers) have made our lives hell,” residents said and threatened that if the bunker will not be removed they will stage massive protests.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Meanwhile Inspector General of CRPF, Atul Karwal told KNS over phone that he has ordered an enquiry into the incident and whosoever is found guilty will be punished. “I have received the information about the incident. I have ordered an enquiry in it and I assure the residents of this area that who so ever is found guilty will be punished,”
He said as for as the CRPF bunker situated in this area is concerned, I can tell you with the responsibility that this bunker is not creating any problems to the resident,” he said but was quick to add that if the people are demanding its removal then it will be only after the proper security assessment.
When KNS contacted PRO, CRPF Ashish Kumar Jaha, he rejected the reports about use of force by their men in the area. “These allegations are baseless. Our paramilitary forces exercised restraint despite stone pelting on them in the area. On the evening of Friday the group of stone pelters inflicted heavy stone pelting on the troops who were deployed in the area. However pursuing bonafide government duty our forces exercising maximum restraint,” the PRO claimed. (KNS)