Sopore, Feb 22: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday filed a case of murder against the Army in connection with the death of two civilians in Sopore yesterday. The two youths were killed and another was critically injured when unidentified gunmen in combat uniform opened fire on a group of people in Sopore town of North Kashmir. The incident sparked violent street protests by residents in the area, with the government ordering a magisterial inquiry into it. An FIR was filed in Sopore police station on Sunday under Section 302 against troopers of the Rashtriya Rifles, official sources said. On its part, the Army has also ordered an inquiry into the incident. "An inquiry has been ordered into the incident to identify the facts," an Army spokesman said. While locals alleged Army personnel moving in a bullet-proof vehicle resorted to firing at a place near a local bus stand without any provocation, the Army said militants in combat dress opened fire to escape from security forces. An Army spokesman said in Srinagar that Army personnel were not present at all at the site of the incident but "we are checking who opened fire at the civilians". Police said two persons in combat dress opened fire on a group of youths in the main bazar near local bus stand. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Amin and Javid Ahmed and the seriously injured youth as Firdous Ahmed. Police said the situation in the town was "tense" but under control. Official sources said prohibitory orders under Section 144, promulgated last evening in the town, continue to be in force but locals allege that curfew has been imposed there and citizens are not being allowed to move out of their houses. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is currently on a three-day tour of the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident and asked for the report to be submitted within 15 days.
Why were the police quick to file case against the Army even before an enquiry was ordered? This is a dangerous precedent. Probably part of a plot to evict the Army from patrolling in Kashmir. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must order an enquiry into the police over-enthusiasm in filing a case against the Army – otherwise he would be playing into the hands of the terrorists.
Why were the police quick to file case against the Army even before an enquiry was ordered? This is a dangerous precedent. Probably part of a plot to evict the Army from patrolling in Kashmir. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must order an enquiry into the police over-enthusiasm in filing a case against the Army – otherwise he would be playing into the hands of the terrorists.
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