Handwara, Apr 6: Massive protests rocked Ganapora Langate here against the crushing of a 60-year-old man allegedly by an army vehicle on Tuesday.
 The protesters told Greater Kashmir, that Ghulam Rasool Khan of Nehama Kralgund was killed when an army vehicle, part of the convoy, allegedly crushed him at Ganapora at 10:45 am.
 “He was hit while returning home from work,” his relative Altaf Hussain told Greater Kashmir adding the vehicles fled away from the spot, leaving Ghulam Rasool in a pool of blood. He said the patrolling parties of Rashtriya Rifles and Border Security Force also ran away from the incident site.
 As the news spread, thousands of people from the area and its adjoining villages took to streets raising pro-freedom and anti-army slogans and staged demonstrations.
 Demanding punishment and registration of FIR against the erring troopers, the protesters blocked the road, disrupting vehicular movement on Varmul-Handwara highway.
 They protesters laid down the body of deceased on highway and refused to bury it till their demands were met. They also attacked the BSF lorry (WB-74F-7491) and damaged its windowpanes. As the protesters refused to disperse, police registered an FIR against the Army to pacify them.
 When contacted, Superintendent of Police Handwara, Muhammed Rafiq Vakil said they had also incorporated the version of villagers in the complaint.
 “They alleged that he died after being hit by an army vehicle. It is matter of investigation now to see which vehicle was involved,” he added.
 An FIR number, 23/02 U/S 279 and 304(A), RPC has been registered in Kralgund police station.
 Meanwhile MLA Langate, Er. Rashid told Greater Kashmir over phone from Jammu that his Joint Effort Trust would provide Rs 20,000 to the bereaved family.
 “I have raised the matter with authorities who assured me that family would be duly compensated. They Army is always  flouting traffic rules and even restricting traffic movement causing inconvenience to the commuters,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST