Youth hit by Army vehicle dies, incident sparks violence

A youth was killed and another critically injured when an Army vehicle hit a motorcycle
outside its headquarters here on Thursday, sparking off violent protests, official sources said.

Shafat Ahmad and Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh, residents of Pampore, were on way to Srinagar when their motorcycle was hit by the Army vehicle outside the headquarters of 15th corps at Batwara, five kms from here on Srinagar-Jammu National highway, the sources said.

Both the injured were immediately rushed to the nearby base hospital where Ahmad succumbed to injuries. Sheikh was referred to Soura Medical Institute and his condition was stated to be critical, they said.

Hundreds of people assembled at the accident spot and raised slogans demanding action against the erring driver. They indulged in stone-pelting when police tried to chase them away. Police fired teargas shells to restore order.

Officials said the Army vehicle driver was arrested and a case registered against him.
Violent protests also broke out at Pampore, 15 kms from here, soon after the news of the accident reached the place. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to
maintain law and order, the sources said.