Srinagar, July 9: Residents of Kadalbal Pampore, where a soldier was killed in a militant attack on Saturday, have alleged that Army has asked them to keep their shops closed for four days to mourn his death, a claim denied by the Army.
“Soldiers of 50-RR are harassing us and have ordered us not to open our shops for four days,” locals told Greater Kashmir on Monday.
“People are facing acute shortage of essentials, including medicine and baby food,” they added.
Locals said that they had met the Chief Minister’s advisor, Mubark Gul, and had apprised him about the Army “diktat.” “Despite meeting Gul nothing has changed. We can’t move out due to heavy presence and pressure of the Army,” they added.
Traders said that they approached, Superintendent of Police (SP) Awantipora, Tehsildar, and local MLA Sunday.  “They did not help us,” they alleged.
Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer of Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Col JS Brar termed allegations as baseless. “These are baseless allegations and steps towards maligning the Army’s image,” he said and added that nobody is harassing locals.
Pertinently, militants on Saturday had attacked an Army patrol of 50-RR at Kadlabal Pampore. In the attack a soldier was killed while his associate sustained injuries.
Soon after the incident the General Officer Commanding 15 Corps Lt General Om Prakash had said that Army exercised maximum restraint while dealing with the situation at Pampore.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST