J&K: CRPF men booked for crushing youth

Jammu and Kashmir Police booked CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) men for rash driving after a youth was mowed down by their vehicle at Nowhatta in the old Srinagar city on Friday. Kaiser Bhat, 21, was among two youth who were run over by a CRPF vehicle when it was trying to manoeuvre through a stone-pelting mob. The injured were immediately rushed to the Sher-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, where Bhat succumbed late on Friday night.

Jammu and Kashmir police has registered two FIRs against the CRPF men and the stone-pelters under different sections of law. "Police has taken cognizance of the matter and initiated due proceedings. Investigation is on," said a police spokesman.

In the first FIR, police has registered a case under section 307 (attempt to murder), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon) 149 (unlawful assembly) 152 (Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot) 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). In the second FIR, Police has registered a case under section 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by endangering life or personal safety of others) of RPC.

CRPF spokesman Sanjay Sharma said the registration of the case is a formality. "They will conduct an investigation and whatever comes out of it will be followed," Sharma said. "Fact remains that the mob tried to lynch the second-in-command of CRPF's 28 Battalion. Had they come out of the vehicle they would have been killed. We will fully cooperate with the investigations."

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) of Separatists said the killing spree by the Forces continues despite the so-called Ramzan ceasefire. "What is worse is that after mowing Kaiser down, a case of rash driving has been registered by the police against the Forces, as if the incident happened by accident," said a spokesman.