SANA

SRINAGAR (SANA): Eve teasing and subsequent thrashing of a 12th class girl student and her brother allegedly by the paramilitary CRPF troopers triggered massive protests in this south Kashmir village, after which police lodged an FIR against the troopers and arrested two of them.

“The CRPF troopers of 163 battalion stationed here intercepted a girl and her brother, Arif, this morning and asked the latter to show his identity card. While one of the troopers was checking Arif’s identity card others started passing indecent remarks on the girl. Arif asked troopers to behave themselves. His objection infuriated them and they beat him up mercilessly,” witnesses told Greater Kashmir.

“As his sister tried to save Arif troopers pounced on her and tore off her clothes and then beat her up with gun butts,” the locals added. The duo was rushed to Sub District Hospital, Qazigund for treatment.

As the word about the incident spread in the area hundreds of students of Government Higher Secondary School Vessu and the locals took to the streets and staged a sit-in outside the CRPF camp. They were demanding stern action against the erring troopers and shifting of camp from the area. However, the CRPF men and the personnel of the special operations group of police beat them up with batons and burst tear smoke canisters to disperse them, injuring scores of protesters.

After being dispersed students regrouped and staged a demonstration outside their school. But the CRPF and SOG men again resorted to baton charge and aerial firing. Several students were also arrested by the police. “SOG men barged into the school due to which many girl students fainted,” locals said.

When contacted the Principal Government Higher Secondary School, Vesu, Vishnu Gupta said, “I was totally unaware of the situation when the students suddenly came out of the school and started protesting. Soon the police arrived and arrested me along with other teacher, Vijay Kumar for failing to control the students.”

Asked if he had taken up matter with the district administration, Kumar said, “I ‘ve been released just now.”

The superintendent of police Kulgam, R KChurasia, said the accused CRPF men, constable Kanveera Ram and constable Paramjit Singh had been arrested and the investigations were on. “If they are found guilty, law will take its own course,” he added.

Sources said that later police registered an FIR No. 140 /2009 under section 294 against the accused troopers and they were lodged in police station, Qazigund.

When contacted, the public relation officer, CRPF, Prabhakar Tripathi, feigned ignorance about the incident. “I don’t have any information about it. I will look into the matter,” he added.