SRINAGAR: Nearly half-a-dozen personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the police have been questioned in investigations of extortion complaints against the force, reports said.
Top officers of the Srinagar police had received complaints of uniformed personnel extracting large amounts of money from shopkeepers and residents in several city areas including Solina and SD Colony.
The operation usually takes place after dusk, and the personnel issue dire threats against speaking out on the extortion, the complaints said.
Recently, a Batmalu resident (identity withheld) had reported to the Sher Ghari police station that SOG personnel had looted him of several thousand rupees.
The police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) under section 392 of the Ranbir Penal Code for investigations.
According to sources, six SOG personnel, identified as constables Javed Ahmad Lone, Shaukat Ahmad Malik, Bilal Ahmad Ganai, Irshad Ahmad Dar, and Manzoor Ahmad and special police officer (SPO) Waseem Ahmad Sheikh had been pulled in for questioning.
A senior police officer said that cases had been filed against four personnel.
We are trying to determine how many people had fallen victim to the racket, the police officer said.
According to sources some personnel have been taken into custody, but police officers refused to confirm the claim formally.