Kulgam Jan 21: Acting on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Police Monday placed three cops under suspension while disengaging the services of another for their alleged involvement in ‘torture’ of a family and molestation of two girls of the household at Larnoo village here recently. The Station House Officer of Kulgam police station has also been attached.
 An official spokesman said the Deputy Commissioner also ordered an inquiry into the incident, to be conducted by the Additional District Development Commissioner.
 Police had Saturday night raided the house of Abdul Hamid Sheikh at Larnoo village here and allegedly tortured the family members including his wife, two young daughters and 14-year-old son. Police had also “ransacked” the house and detained Sheikh’s son and two daughters while leaving him (Sheikh) badly injured in an unconscious state in a field. The incident triggered massive protests and shutdown in the village following which the two girls and their younger brother was released. Police had however contested the family claims terming the family as “rogue” and “wanted in various cases.” Talking to Greater Kashmir, DC Kulgam, Jehangir Ahmad Mir said: “I interacted with the family as well as their neighbors and protesters. Prima facie it seems that police is involved in alleged commission of excesses during a raid on Saturday night. Therefore, action has been initiated against the cops.” “I directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to immediately place under suspension two police constables and Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) while disengaging the services of one Special Police Officer (SPO), and also attach the SHO Kulgam for their alleged involvement in the incident,” he said.
 Mir said a probe has also been ordered into the incident to be conducted by ADDC MY Zargar  to ascertain the reasons behind the incident and the public outrage thereof.  “The inquiry officer has been directed to furnish factual report within 15 days. Stern action will be initiated against anyone found involved,” he said.
 Mir also said that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has been briefed about the entire proceedings.
 “The witnesses have been asked to depose before the inquiry officer and get their statements recorded on January 22 and January 23,” ADDC, Kulgam, MY Zargar, said.
 A police official said the constables Ali Muhamad and Imtiyaz Ahmad, ASI Tariq Yousuf have been suspended while SPO Shakeel Ahmad has been disengaged from service. “Besides, SHO Kulgam Muzzafar Ahmad has also been attached with the Police Line,” he said.
 The police official said the cops were also found involved in “manipulating FIRs.”
 Meanwhile, police has also initiated departmental inquiry into the incident to be conducted by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP). “The senior officials including DIG (South Kashmir) visited the area and assured justice to the family while ordering a departmental inquiry into the incident,” a police official added.
 Earlier, amid complete shutdown, protests continued here for the second consecutive day. Shutdown was also observed in Kulgam town and other adjoining villages.
 Shouting anti-police slogans, the protesters and the family members demanded stern punishment to the erring police officials.
 The protesters blocked various roads in the district. Later, after the assurance from the district administration, people called off the strike.  

Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST