SRINAGAR: Hundreds of people staged a demonstration in the Pakharpora area of Charar-e-Sharief on Sunday against the killing of a youth allegedly by the Army's 53 Rashtriya Rifles.

Police have registered a murder case and begun investigations.

The youth, identified as Muhammad Maqbool Dar of Mohandpora village, was taken into custody by soldiers of the Kanidajan Army camp on Friday, his father Mohammad Ramzan said. The family was preparing for the Shab-e-Qadar, the holiest day of the month, when the troops arrived and without "listening to our pleas took Dar away," Mr. Ramzan said.

Residents said they approached the Army with the help of the police, but they refused to release him and instead beat them up. Strong protests were staged when Dar's body was brought home on Saturday.

Villagers demanded stern action against the soldiers. Locals told The Hindu that the young man was his family's breadwinner and not associated with any militant outfit.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Budgam, Syed Ashaq Hussain Bukhari assured the protesters that action would be taken against the soldiers. "We have registered a case under Section 302 and investigations have started. The case will be taken to its logical conclusion," Mr. Bukhari said.

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