Nocturnal raid sparks protest in Palhalan; Youth dies in Police firing

Pattan, Feb 9: The nocturnal raid by Government Forces on a house sparked a violent protest in Palhalan Pattan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday. One person was killed after police reportedly fired upon protestors during the violent clashes.
Reports said that in a bid to nab an alleged stone-pelter, police and SOG party jointly raided the house of one Ghulam Muhammad Bhat. Family members alleged that the government forces not only ransacked their house, smashed the windowpanes but also beat the inmates including female after they failed to locate Ashiq Ahmed from the house.
“Ashiq is innocent and want to live a peaceful life but police is forcing him to join militancy. During the nocturnal raid police beat us mercilessly and damaged our property. Look at these injured faces,” said relative of Ashiq Ahmed who identified the injured family members as Sakina Bano, Muhammad Yaqoob and Ghulam Muhammad Bhat.
Reports said that as the news about the raid and subsequent thrashing spread in the area, people took to roads in large numbers and amid anti-police slogans pelted stones on police and CRPF personnel. Police used tear-smoke shells and fired some shots to disperse them , resulting in the injuries of four youth.
Reports said that four protestors, three of them critically, a police constable Shamsuddin Ahmed and a CRPF jawan was injured.
Doctors at Sub-District Hospital Pattan confirmed to news agency that out of four youth brought there had suffered serious injuries and one of them was shifted to JVC Srinagar. He identified the injured protestors as Farooq Ahmed Bhagat, Reyaz Ahmed Bhat, Muhammad Adil and Prince Bhagat.
Reports said that one of the injured youth Farooq Ahmed Bhagat succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Meanwhile, a police handout said that on Monday evening, two persons sustained injuries in a firing incident in Palhalan area. One injured Farooq Ahmad Bhat son Ghulam Ahmad Bhat resident of Bhagat Mohallah, Palahan succumbed to injuries on way to hospital. Another injured person Riyaz Ahamad Bhat of Palhalan is undergoing treatment in hospital. Police has taken cognizance into this highly regrettable and unfortunate incident. FIR has been registered into the matter. “The incident is being investigated and all concerned are being questioned to ascertain the facts.” The handout reads.
Separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah while vehemently condemning the killing of youth that it has become a routine for police to take the lives of innocent people. (CNS)