SRINAGAR: Police on Saturday released two army men who were detained after a group of soldiers from armys High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) allegedly went on rampage beating and injuring at least three policemen in the picturesque Sonmarg township.
Officials said that Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) S D Lengoo (E910178) and Sepoy Harpreet Singh (15341349) were released today after they were reportedly found not involved in the thrashing of policemen.
The duo have been released and handed over to army, a police official, insisting not to be named said.
On Friday, at least three policemen sustained injuries after soldiers beat them up for stopping their convoy. The incident triggered an anti-army protests in the area. To cool the tempers, police filed a case under FIR no 3/20 14 under sections under sections 307, 357, 392, 147, 148. 427 RPC in Sonamarg police station.
Police also seized four army vehicles including a bus (06P189711) and a Swaraj Mazda (03D1516148) from Army High Altitude Warfare School Sonmarg.
Meanwhile, police sources said that the investigations into the incident were going on and the cops who were attacked yesterday want action against the guilty army men.
There is strong resentment among the cops against the army. They want prompt action, they said.
On Saturday, senior police and army officials visited Sonmarg police station and took stock of the situation. They saw bullet marks inside police station. Initially they were doubtful but today all their doubts were clear, a low-ranking police officer, who was thrashed yesterday said.
Though two army men were freed today but we hope that those involved in firing inside police station and snatching weapon of one our men would be brought to justice in coming days, he said adding the way army behaved with us is totally unacceptable. He said:
The officer said that the locals, including the women, saved them from the wrath of army.
Superintendent of Police Ganderbal, Shahid Meraj said that few empty cartridges were found inside police station. Investigations are on and so far no arrests have been made, he said.
They thrashed our men inside police station, went berserk and fired bullets. They broke glasses of police station and damaged official record, another constable, who wished not to be named said.
Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Sarmad Hafeez said that police was investigating the matter. It is matter of investigation. Action will be taken against those who are found guilty according to law, he said.
Armys Srinagar based spokesman Lt Col NN Joshi on Friday had said: A close liaison is being maintained with police and the matter is being investigated jointly. Those found guilty will be dealt severely.
A case vide FIR vide number 31/2014 under section 307,392,353,147,148,452 stands registered against HAWS, Nilgrath army personnel for attacking cops, civilians and snatching a rifle from the police station.
A police official said that on Saturday morning when a police team led by Assistant Sub Inspector Abdul Ahad went to HAWAS training camp to make the arrests of the five more accused army personnel, the authorities allegedly there did not cooperate with the police as a result the police returned empty handed. –With inputs from GNS, CNS
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