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Probe ordered into police firing on protesters in Baramulla district

The divisional commissioner (Kashmir) has ordered an inquiry into the police firing at Tapper (Pattan) in Baramulla district, which resulted in the death of one person and injuries to four others, an official announcement in Srinagar said.

Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir police had opened fire on protesters in Baramulla district.

Eyewitnesses said residents of the area around Tapar town (Pattan), about 50 kms from Srinagar, had squatted on the Srinagar-Baramulla road to protest against inadequate and erratic electricity supply in their neighbourhood.

When they refused to budge after Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir police told them to clear the road, the latter fired at them, killing Asif, 18, on the spot and injuring four others, they said.

Some of the residents alleged that the SOG personnel showed no restraint or tact and sought to quell a heated argument with the protesters by opening fire.

The Baramulla district magistrate would conduct the probe and submit the report in a week's time, the official announcement said.

Protests against poor civic amenities have been rare in the valley since militancy reared its head 12 years ago.

On Wednesday, scores of women were injured when police resorted to a cane charge and burst teargas shells at Nowhatta Chowk in downtown Srinagar to disperse hundreds of women protesting dry water taps in their neighbourhoods.

Saturday's incident evoked shock and anger among the populance.

"It is shocking. People in the valley cannot even demand civic amenities like electric power. The SOG has a mindset through which they see every civilian as a militant and criminal. It is going to have serious implications," said Sajjad Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.

"Instead of encouraging people's participation in governance, the state administration is cracking its whip on unarmed, peaceful protesters," he added.

The SOG finds itself in the thick of allegations of custodial killings, which have not only earned public criticism but also made the force a prime target of the extremists.

Meanwhile, extremists triggered five landmine explosions on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway near an SOG camp at Zakura on the outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of the Himalayan state.

A sixth landmine was defused by a bomb disposal squad, police told IANS.

The explosions caused panic in the area forcing schools and government offices to be closed immediately.

Indo Asian News Service and PTI

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