Hajin: Police and Para-military Forces ransacked scores of houses and beat inmates to pulp after the violent protests erupted in North Kashmirs Hajin area of Bandipora on the second consecutive day. Scores of youth appeared on roads after the news spread that Minister for Higher Education, Muhammad Akbar Lone is visiting Banayari area of Hajin.
Youth resorted to heavy stone pelting while the men in uniform went for tear gas shelling to disperse them. Agitated youth, amid pro-freedom slogans burn down tyres on roads. They fought pitched battles with the police and CRPF personnel deployed in the area.
A police official on condition of anonymity told CNS that Minister for Higher Education was supposed to visit Banayari area of Hajin. Keeping yesterdays occurrence in mind we had decided to deploy police and CRPF personnel in strength. Youth came to know about his visit and they blocked the road and started pelting stones on deployed policemen, he said adding that due to heavy stone pelting, the Minister changed his route and reached Baniyari via Sodnara village.
He further said that the Minister did not listen to us when we advised him to change the route.
Agitated youth uprooted the sign boards of trader Noor Mohammad Wani who is said be the close aide of Minister Mohammad Akbar Lone.
Pertinently, Ministers cavalcade came under attack on Saturday when youth pelted stones on some of his vehicles.
Locals alleged that police and CRPF personnel barged their entry into the houses and smashed the window panes of houses and vehicles parked in yards and on roads. Police and Para-military troopers went on rampage in Mir Mohalla, Par Mohalla and Parray Mohalla and thrashed people there which left many injured, one of the residents told CNS.
Despite repeated attempts the Minister for Higher Education was not available for comments. (CNS)
