Varmul, Jan 22: A youth was killed and five others injured when cops opened fire on demonstrators protesting against police for “encroaching” a piece of land near Parihaspora, Pattan in this north Kashmir district on Friday.
Witnesses told Greater Kashmir that residents of Parihaspora and other adjoining areas assembled near the Shrine of the holy saint, Shams-ud-din Iraqi this morning and staged a demonstration against 10th battalion of Indian Reserve Police.
“The IRP personnel are illegally occupying the land which has to be appended to the Shrine. The piece of land encroached upon by the IRP is the only approach road to the Shrine and it is not police’s property,” protesters shouted.
“As protests were on, IRP personnel opened fire killing a youth and injuring five others,” witnesses said.
The deceased youth was identified as Manzooor Ahmad Sofi, 22, son of Muhammad Ramzan Sofi of Ikhwanpora, Dewar. As the word about Manzoor’s death spread in the area, hundreds of people raising anti-police slogans took to the streets and staged a massive demonstration demanding action against the erring cops. Protesters blocked the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway disrupting the vehicular movement.
When contacted Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Varmul, Shakeel Beigh told Greater Kashmir, “The land was earlier the property of the Custodian Department. It was legally allotted to the concerned IRP battalion. Police was forced to open fire when locals clashed with police to take possession of the land.”
He said that enquiry had been ordered into the incident.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST