Shopian incident: JKNPP protests FIR against Army men

A teargas shell explodes near protesters in Srinagar clashing with security forces against the alleged killing of the two youth in Army firing. Pic/PTI

The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) yesterday protested the registration of an FIR against Army men in connection with the alleged killing of two youths in Army firing in Shopian district.

The protesters, who were led by JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh, protested at the Exhibition Ground here and accused the state government of appeasing anti-nationals and separatists in the Kashmir Valley. They shouted anti-government slogans and demanded that the FIR be withdrawn. Two civilians were killed when Army personnel fired at a stone-pelting mob in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order an inquiry into the incident.

Police had on Sunday filed an FIR under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code against the personnel of 10, Garhwal unit, of the Army. A Major, who led the Army personnel at the time of the incident, was also named in the FIR. Singh claimed "the Army men fired in self-defence when a mob attacked them".

J&K DyCM says situation 'very bad'
There was uproar in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly yesterday as members, including those from the BJP and the CPI(M), raised the issue of Pakistan shelling along the Line of Control, forcing Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh to describe the situation as "very bad".

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, current affairs from Mumbai, local news, crime news and breaking headlines here

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go