Massive protest in north Kashmir against killing of 4 youths by Army

Baramulla, Feb 23 (UNI) Despite a magisterial inquiry ordered by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, thousands of people today took to the streets at Dodipora in north Kashmir in protest against the killing of four youths allegedly by the Army yesterday.

Official sources said about ten thousand people, mostly women, were protesting at Kolangam main chowk near the bodies of four youths.

The demonstrators raising '' pro-freedom'' and anti army and government slogans reached Kolangam from Dodipora in a procession along with the bodies after covering 9 km on foot.

They said that they will not laid down the bodies to rest untill the guilty army officials are arrested and punished for killing the innocent youths during a cricket match.

The Chief Minister, expressing his displeasure and anguish has already ordered a magestiral inquiry into the incident.

He has also directed Divisional Commissioner Basharat Ahmad Dar and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, K Rajinder Kumar to visit the area.

A defence ministry spokesman however, denied that the youths were killed by the army as alleged by the locals.

He said the youths were killed when army launched a search operation in the area and militants opened fire.

Cutting across the party lines, the separatist and mainstream political parties have condemned the killing of youths by the army.

They demanded a thorough probe into the incident and severe punishment to those involved.

UNI BAS YA BS1239