Life crippled in Handwara in north Kashmir

Baramulla, Sep 28 (UNI) Life was today crippled in Handwara town in the frontier district of Kupwara due to spontaneous strike to express solidarity with the police personnel injured in an attack by Army on a police station on Wednesday.

Police have registered a case against the Army personnel who forced their entry into Magam police station and allegedly beat up six police personnel, including incharge, after police seized 4800 litres of petrol which was being sold in the black market.

Shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was also off the roads.

Attendance in the government offices and commercial establishment was also affected due to strike while the educational institutions wore a deserted look.

The strike was to express solidarity with the police personnel who were injured by the Army personnel, the locals said and added how can a civilian feel secure when the troops beat up people in uniform.

The injured police personnel were admitted to hospital, sources said, adding an FIR against the Army personnel had been lodged and said the troops also looted Rs 35000, six mobile phones, one digital camera, a wrist watch, one Ak-47 rifle, six magazines and 108 rounds.

Police in the past also seized petrol and diesel, being sold by the Army personnel in the open market in north Kashmir.

About a dozen civilians were also arrested by the police in the past.

UNI