CRPF Accused of Ransacking Houses in Downtown Srinagar

Residents in the downtown Srinagar have accused the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of barging into homes, damaging property and beating up inmates.

A resident from Saraf Kadal area said that frenzied CRPF soldiers ransacked at least seven households and also damaged as many cars.

They say the CRPF were angry after youth pelted them with stones after Friday prayers in the area.

“They were chasing some youth and in the course entered into my home and damaged everything,” a caller told freepresskashmir.com over phone.

As he spoke, women wailing loudly could be heard.

The police officer of the area could not be reached for comment.

The incident comes despite repeated assurances from the government and the CRPF officials that they follow proper SOP or Standard Operating Procedure while dealing with protests.

Last week, an amateur video showed berserk CRPF personnel armed with guns and batons throwing rocks at residential houses, kicking open doors and tearing tarpaulins of shops.

Earlier, the divisional commissioner of Kashmir range had announced a helpline of sorts after a series of such complaints from residents across the valley.



(Free Press Kashmir)