‘Ransack mosque, broke windows, PA system’
At least 50 people suffered injuries among which a mother-son duo along with fourteen others have been shifted to SKIMS in critical condition.
On Friday morning, some youths at Arhama Manigam used the public address system of their local mosque to play Freedom songs and slogans which irritated Commanding Officer of 5 Rashtriya Riffles. According to local sources, Army men cordoned off the mosque and entered in.
“Soldiers entered the mosque, ransacked loudspeakers system, broke window panes and dragged us out”, a youth said.
He said Army men beat us to pulp before some senior villagers came out to rescue us, but army men barged into local residences and created havoc in the villages. The men, woman and children were ruthlessly beaten to pulp.
At least 40 people including a 60-year old woman Mukhti Begum along with her young son Riyaz sustained injuries.
Most of the injured were treated at PHC Manigam while as Mukhti along with fourteen others were termed critical and referred to SKIMS Soura.
Meanwhile, Army CO reached PHC Manigam and threatened medicos and para team not to attend the injured.
In the other parts of the district, violent protests broke out after Friday prayers in which an SHO along with seven police cops and 5 CRPF men were injured. In Kujar Fatehpora, youths in large number fought stone battles with police and clashes at Saloora, Gangerhama, Khann Harran, Giraj, and Beehama resulted in the injuries to many.
People in large numbers at Tulamulla took out a peaceful procession and shouted slogans favouring freedom of Kashmir.