Srinagar, April 7: Two civilians sustained bullet injuries in leg following an altercation between locals and army while later was filming afternoon prayers in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday.
Eyewitnesses said that when the people were entering inside Masjid at Jamia Jadeed Main Chowk Handwara, army soldiers were making video. There was firing and two civilians were injured and sustained bullet wounds in leg.
A police officer said that soldiers of 21 RR had gone to Jamia Masjid Handwara for video making of Namaz (prayers). “Some people objected and then there was altercation between army and civilians,” the officer said, adding, “During altercation there has been accidental fire and two persons received injury in leg. Both are stable.” The injured identified as Abdul Ahad Mir from Rajwar and Mujeeb Ahmad Sofi from Handwara, have been hospitalized.
In a statement issued in the evening army said: “Troops of 21 RR were on routine patrol in Handwara town. In view of Iftar party planned by the army near the Town Chowk, the troops at about 1.30 PM took few photos of Jamia Masjid, Handwara to showcase happiness and offering of prayers during the holy month of Ramzan.”
Thereafter, a defence ministry spokesman based here said that “army troops requested a local to get few photos from inside. It is when the local person was going to take photos, some rogue elements protested, and instigated others to get into an altercation with the troops.”
“While attempting to pacify them, two-three individuals got into a scuffle with the troops wherein there was an accidental discharge of the weapon, injuring two civilians identified as Abdul Ahad Mir of Rajwar & Mujeeb Ah Sofi of Handwara,” he said, adding, “The crowd was pacified & JKP in vicinity arrived to control the situation jointly. The crowd was subsequently dispersed & market was opened for routine activity.”
He said both the injured civilians were evacuated to District Hosp Handwara and are reported stable”.
Meanwhile National Conference, PDP and J&K Peoples Conference condemned the incident and sought punishment for those found guilty.
National Conference condemned the “unfortunate incident of security forces firing on civilians inside the mosque premises” in Handwara and demanded an impartial and time bound probe into the unfortunate incident.
While expressing anguish over the incident, party MP Mohammad Akbar Lone, Senior leaders Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Shariefudin Shariq condemned the incident in unequivocal terms. They demanded that erring security forces are held accountable and strict punishment be meted out to those responsible.
“The incident deflates the claims of the government on zero tolerance for human rights violations. Such an incident would only decrease the prospects of lasting peace and prosperity in J&K. Such incidents would only ferment alienation rather than decrease it. As the varied versions of the incident are coming forth, it is for the government to clear the air and establish the circumstances that led to the altercation,” they said in a statement.
The leaders prayed for swift and complete recovery of two youngsters who are under treatment in a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar.
PDP Chief and former Chief Minister mehbooba Mufti also condemned the incident at Handwara “which left 2 civilians injured post an altercation with the army.”
“ GOIs interference in religious matters by its unwarranted surveillance of a simple act of offering prayers shows that Kashmiris pay dearly for the illusion of Naya Kashmir,” she said in a tweet.
J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone also condemned the “unfortunate incident of security forces firing on civilians inside the mosque premises in Handwara and demanded an impartial probe into the unfortunate incident.
While expressing anguish over the incident, Sajad Lone hoped that erring security forces are held accountable and strict punishment is meted out to those responsible, according to a statement issued here.
“What a sorry state of affairs. One of the most peaceful towns Handwara at the receiving end. Hoping against hope the guilty are punished”, he said.
He prayed for swift recovery of those injured in the incident and expressed sympathies with the affected families.
Meanwhile, Lone also called the hospital authorities to enquire about the condition of the injured and was relieved to know that injuries were not life threatening.
