KULGAM: People Tuesday staged a protest against army for allegedly kidnapping and interrogating the brother of a suspected militant in Qaimou Kulgam.
The protestors blocked traffic for hours and it was only after the assurance and intervention of police officials that protests agreed to disperse peacefully.
Locals said that Tawseef Ahmed Shiekh son of Abdul Salam Shiekh resident of Rampora Qaimou has reportedly joined the militant ranks some two weeks ago. According to Tawseefs family Station House Officer Qaimou called his brother Mudasir Ahmed for questioning in police station Qaimou.
Station House Officer called me on phone at around 2pm and asked me to report in Police Station. I was allowed to go at 5 after replying to some of their questions pertaining to my brother, Mudasir told CNS adding that when he was about to reach home, Army personnel present in a Sumo vehicle picked him up.
He said that Army personnel took him to nearby camp and interrogated him physically and mentally. I was thrashed ruthlessly. It was only after I lost my conscience that they allowed me to go to my home, Mudasir said.
People sought stern action against the erring Army personnel for arresting an innocent youth without any reason. We have registered a complaint against 1 RR personnel and police has assured us that they will take cognizance of the matter on priority basis, one of the family members of Mudasir said.
Station House Officer Qaimou said that Mudasir was released soon after questioning.
Defence Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel M.N.Joshi told CNS that he will try to find out what actually has happened. Let me ascertain the facts and I will let you know, he said.(CNS)
