Srinagar, Aug 15: A police official on Sunday hurled a shoe at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the I-Day function at heavily guarded Bakshi Stadium here.
 The official identified as Head Constable, Abdul Ahad Jan son of Muhammad Dilawar Jan of Ajas Bandipora raised pro-freedom slogans, hurled a shoe and a black flag towards Omar.
 The incident took place around 10:30 am soon after the Chief Minister unfurled the tricolour and was about to take the salute. Jan, who was seated in the third row of the VIP enclosure along with other VIPs including ministers and top officials of the administration, hurled the brown colour shoe at the Chief Minister, which missed hitting him.
 However, the incident didn’t disrupt the proceeding and the Chief Minister continued with the ceremony.
 Referring to the incident in his speech, Omar said, “It is better to throw shoes than to throw stones."
 Soon after the incident the security men present there whisked away 52-year old Jan.
 He was detained in Shergari Police station here.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir that Jan had won appreciation for his bravery act in 1992 when he played a major role in rescuing the then Director General of Police in a militant attack on police headquarter here.
 “He was awarded certificate of appreciation for his heroic act and promised promotion,” sources said. “However, he was not promoted and subsequently Jan filed a case in the court here.”
 A Police spokesman said Jan was “mentally unsound” and facing criminal charges in a case (FIR No 123, May 21, 2010) registered in Police Station Parimpora.
 However, the question remains how Jan got the entry into the VIP enclosure where nobody is permitted without showing the special permission card.
 Sources said Jan was arrested on May 21 this year. He was kept in lock-up for 4-days before being released on bail. Subsequently he had reported at District Police Headquarter Kulgam on May 29 and continued to be there till August 8. “But his whereabouts where not known since then,” police sources said.
 The incident reflects the growing manifestation of anger within the police, which is currently facing tough time in handling protests across the Valley, against the government over its policies to tackle the unrest.
 There are reports that policemen are carrying civilian identity cards to escape from the wrath of people.
 Late in the evening Jan was shifted to the police headquarter here for treatment.
 “He was bleeding from mouth and his left leg was wounded because of torture.”
 He was shifted to SKIMS, sources added.
 When contacted the Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr Amin Tabish told Greater Kashmir that he was admitted after he developed accelerated hypertension.

POLICE VERSION
 “During preliminary interrogation the suspended head constable Abdul Ahad Jan,  who  had hurled  a shoe at the I- day function at Srinagar ,revealed  that he was approached by a political party leader .He also revealed that he used entry pass of the political party leader  to gain entry into the venue.
 As has been reported earlier Abdul Ahad Jan son of  Dillawar Jan  of Ajas Bandipora, a suspended Head Constable is reportedly mentally unsound and facing charges in a criminal case. He was suspended for his criminal activities vide Kulgam Police order No: 360 dated: May 22, 2010. He has been under continuous  psychiatric treatment in Psychiatric hospital as well as with private doctors,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST