The killing of a middle aged man allegedly by ‘cowvigilantes’ has triggered widespread protests and outrage in Bhadarwah, forcingthe administration to impose curfew in the picturesque town.
Reports said a group of three persons were heading towardstheir native Mohalla Qilla area of Bhaderwah along with their cattle when theywere fired upon at 2 am by alleged cow vigilantes near Nalthi village.
In the attack, Naeem Ahmad Shah (50) was killed on spotwhile two of his associates managed to escape with minor injuries.
The incident triggered widespread protests as people weredemanding immediate arrest of the culprits.
Police claimed that seven suspects of village Kaathi-Nalthihave been detained, however, the main suspect is absconding.
Meanwhile, the protestors pelted stones on police station,demanding that the culprits should be handed over to them.
Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters,which further infuriated them following which they vandalised the parkedvehicles by smashing their windowpanes.
The protesters also torched two auto rickshaws and amotorcycle at Seri Bazaar, Takia Chowk and Pasri Bus Stand.
The administration has imposed curfew and called out thearmy to control the situation.
“This is a cold-blooded murder and has been carried out onthe behest of the goons of BJP, RSS and Shiv Sena, who are hell bent topolarize the situation here. If the kingpins are not booked immediately, thiswill have very dangerous consequences and for that only administration withModi’s agenda will be responsible,” said Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh, PresidentAnjuman-e-Islamia Bhadarwah, while issuing a shutdown call against theincident.
Sensing the gravity of the matter, DDC Doda Dr SagarDoifode, SSP Shabir Ahmed Malik and Commander 4 Sector RR Brig N.J.Singh arecamping at Bhadarwah to assess the situation.
DDC Doda appealed people to remain calm and maintain peaceand promised that the law will take its own course and all the culprits willbrought to the book.
The ding-dong battles between security forces and protesterswere going on at Takiya Chowk when last reports came in.