Protests in Kashmir after CRPF men beat up youth

Srinagar, Dec 6 (UNI) Massive protests erupted in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir after the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly thrashed a youth after a car driven by him had reportedly hit one of the men here today.

Eyewitnesses said the youth was driving the car amid heavy traffic jam on the busy Maulana Azad Road here this afternoon when the vehicle reportedly brushed past one of the CRPF personnel.

They alleged that the CRPF men went berserk, dragged out the youth and mercilessly beat him up, triggering massive protests by the people, including the passers by and other vehicle owners.

The protests resulted in massive traffic jam on the Maulana Azad Road here for more than two hours.

The angry protestors later caught hold one of the CRPF personnel while his other colleagues managed to escape from the scene.

Chanting anti-security forces, anti-government and pro-independence slogans, the protestors demanded strict action against the ''guilty'' CRPF personnel.

A large posse of police soon arrived at the scene to disperse the demonstrators. The CRPF personnel was then handed over to the police who assured the protestors of registering a case against him.

Eyewitnesses further claimed that the CRPF personnel even tried to open fire on the protestors from his service weapon, but the rifle was snatched by the local police before he could use it.

The protestors dispersed only after the CRPF personnel was taken to the Kothi Bagh police station and case registered against him.

The traffic then resumed on the Maulana Azad Road here after more than two hours.

UNI