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Monday, Feb 23, 2009
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Case filed against Army

Shujaat Bukhari

Probe ordered into killing of civilians in north Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Thousands of people staged protest demonstrations on Sunday in north Kashmir’s Bumai area, where two civilians were killed by the Army on Saturday.

While police have registered a case against the Army, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sopore, has begun investigations.

A large number of people took to the streets in Bumai early in the morning carrying the bodies of the two civilians. They initially refused to bury the bodies, but relented after they were assured that a transparent investigation would be conducted and those involved would be punished. The protesters shouted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans. They also demanded the removal of the 22 Rashtriya Rifles camp in the area.

In Baramulla, five persons, including a policeman, were injured in clashes that broke out after hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets. Authorities clamped a curfew on Sopore town to prevent a flare-up of tension since one of the victims hailed from here. Police and the CRPF were deployed in strength in the area. Even mediapersons were not allowed to move beyond Sangrama, 5 km ahead of Sopore on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a time-bound inquiry into the incident on Saturday. Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Viplav Kumar, told The Hindu that the situation was tense but under control.

A defence spokesman said: “Based on specific information about the presence of terrorists, 22 Rashtriya Rifles sent two parties to village Tujar near Sopore. The first party established the inner cordon. The second party, while moving out of the Bumai Post, was informed that three terrorists had boarded a bus. The party followed the bus and halted it near Bumai Chowk. RR personnel asked the men to lift their ‘pherans’ to check for weapons. Terrorists then opened fire, resulting in the killing of a civilian.”

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