Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Three youth were injured in police lathi-charge after the Independent MLA from Kashmir, Engineer Rashid was attacked by some youth at Bhamla, on Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway, under Reasi police jurisdiction at around 12.15 pm today.
The incident took place when the MLA Rashid was going to Potha (Kalakote) in Rajouri to address public meeting. The youth from Sunderbani assisted by BJP, Bajrang Dal and VHP activists had already assembled in the main market of the town to lodge protest in connection with anti-India slogans in JNU Delhi. As they came to know that Engineer Rashid, was coming to Rajouri, about 20 youth from Sunderbani rushed to Bhamla about 7 kms from there and stopped the MLA showing him black flags.
The police party led by ASP Nowshera Rakesh Kumar, SHO Sunderbani and ASI Bhamla was already there to give security cover to the MLA. The youth raised slogans, ‘Rashid go back’, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, and so on.
As the MLA insisted to move ahead, the youth allegedly attacked the MLA’s vehicle. They also threw black ink on MLA but it missed the target and fell on an ASI and SHO’s uniform. The ASP and other police men including security men of MLA resorted to lathi-charge on protesting youth. Some youth also threw stones on the cavalcade of MLA, causing some damage and made him to flee back.
A VHP activist Pritam Shastri received injury on his head and he fell down and started bleeding during scuffle. Two other youth Sanjay Kumar and Suraj Parkash were injured. The Police sent back the MLA to Jammu, sensing trouble ahead. The injured Pritam Shastri was rushed to Sunderbani hospital and later referred to GMC Jammu.
As the report of police lathi-charge and serious injury to Pritam Shastri reached Sunderbani, the people closed market and came out on the Jammu-Poonch highway and raised barricades at around 12.45 pm. They stalled the movement of traffic and started massive protest against ASP Nowshera demanding his removal and action against policemen involved in lathi-charge.
Later, MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina also joined at around 2 pm. The MLA Nowshera alleged that Er Rashid was going to address anti-VDC and anti-army rally at Potha and the people came to know about it and did not allow him to disturb peace in this district. He alleged that Nowshera police resorted to lathicharge in Reasi jurisdiction. Action should be taken against the cops involved.
Later, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Johnny Williams reached there and talked to the agitating people and the local MLA. On the assurance of DIG that impartial inquiry would be held, the people lifted dharna from the road at around 5.45 pm. The police has also registered an FIR in this connection.
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