Five policemen wounded as violent protests erupt in Sopore

Baramulla, Apr 30 (UNI) At least five policemen were wounded after violent protest erupted in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district today after a water tanker of the Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly ran over a 15-year-old youth, official sources said.

Tension has mounted in the entire area as protestors clashed with the security forces.

The sources said the youth, Nadeem Ahmed Kaloo, a resident of Shalteng in Sopore, was allegedly hit by a speeding BSF water tanker this afternoon.

The boy died instantly, prompting the locals to come out of their houses and stage a protest, they added.

The protestors, mostly women, turned violent after police opened fire in the air to disperse them.

The police action further agitated the protestors who later took possession of the tanker and set it on fire.

Demanding that the errant driver be arrested and punished, the demonstrators also set afire two BSF posts and partially destroyed another located in the area.

The personnel of the BSF's 55 battalion had to flee from their posts to escape the ire of the protestors.

The demonstrators then attacked the police station and wounded five police personnel.

UNI XC-AG YA BD1944