The death of a 10-year-old girl in an accident involving an Army vehicle sparked clashes in south Kashmir on Thursday, leaving over 30 people, including security personnel, injured.
Locals alleged that an Army vehicle hit the girl, identified as Aroofa Zargar, a resident of Shopian’s Zinapora, on Thursday morning, during a patrol.
Pitched battles
“As she succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital, people converged on the streets and clashed with the security forces,” said a police official.
However, locals alleged that the police were reluctant to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) pertaining to the accident against the Army’s 55 Rashtriya Rifles.
The body of the victim, a Class 2 student, was kept in a police station for some time, which fuelled more anger. The body was laid to rest only after an FIR was registered later. The police said people from adjoining villages, too, joined the protesters and attacked the sub- divisional magistrate’s office and the local tehsil office buildings. The security forces used tear-smoke shells and pellet shotguns to chase away hundreds of protesters from the roads.
According to officials of the Primary Health Centre, Zinapora, over 20 protesters were treated there. “Most injured were hit by pellets,” said the hospital sources.
Over 12 security personnel also suffered injuries in the volatile district, where normal life was badly impacted due to the clashes. General Officer Commanding Victor Force Major General B.S Raju described the accident as “unfortunate” and expressed solidarity with the family.