Army fire injures four civilians; police registers case
Amidst protests, DC orders magisterial probe
 

Reyaz Ahmed

Yarbough, Rafiabad: Following the alleged indiscriminate firing of troops on villagers at Yarbough Rafiabad Tuesday night in which four civilians were injured, hundreds of people today took to streets today and staged protest demonstrations.  While police has registered a case against concerned unit of the Army, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla has ordered magisterial inquiry into the incident. Residents of Yarbugh village of Rafiabad alleged that while a group of people of the were returning from Srinagar Tuesday evening after meeting their MLA and minister, Dilawar Mir, troops of 32 RR, without any provocation, fired upon them indiscriminately around 10:30 pm. Four civilians were injured in the firing while troopers seized their mobile phones and identity cards, locals said.
The injured were identified as Khursheed Ahmed Shiekh, Muhammed Ashraf Shiekh, Firdous Ahmed Baba and Ghulam Muhammad Mir of Yarbough Rafaibad who were rushed to Srinagar hospitals for treatment.  However, a defence spokesman told a local news agency that militants fired on the troops and the fire was returned. “The civilians were injured in the cross fire,” he added. But the locals refuted the claim saying there was no militant fire and army personnel fired brazenly on unarmed civilians. Following the incident, this morning thousands of people took to streets demanding action against the soldiers involved in the incident. Chanting anti army slogans, the protesters were demanding registering of FIR against the troops of 32 RR allegedly responsible for the firing on innocent civilian. The protesters blocked the Baramulla–Handwara highway for hours, demanding punishment for the erring soldiers.  At Yarbugh agitating people pelted stones on a police party led by SSP Baramulla and police in return fired in the air to disperse the mob, sources said. Complete shutdown was witnessed in the area. Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Baseer Ahmed Khan told Kashmir Images that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered in the incident. “SDM Sopore will conduct the inquiry,” he added.  Police has also registered an attempt to murder case against the army at police station Dangiwahaca.
“We have registered FIR no. 13/2008 under section 307 RPC against the army and legal procedures are initiated against them," a police officer wishing anonymity said.