CRPF to compensate for torching houses in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 26 (UNI) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) today said it would pay compensation to all those whose houses were torched by its personnel after an IED blast at Panzgam village near Awantipora in Pulwama district on January 23.

Talking to reporters after unfurling the tricolour at Lal Chowk here this morning, CRPF Inspector General Vipin Kumar Sharma said the force would pay adequate compensation to the villagers whose houses were torched by its personnel after the explosion.

He also said the CRPF would provide a one-month free ration to the affected families.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir police have stepped up investigations into the incident after registering a case against the CRPF for allegedly torching three houses at Panzgam village.

A first information report (FIR) (number 12/2007) under section 436 CrPC had been filed at the Awantipora police station in this regard, they added.

Three CRPF personnel were killed and five others critically wounded in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at Panzgam village near Awantipora in Pulwama district on Tuesday.

The vehicle, carrying the CRPF personnel, was completely damaged in the explosion owned by the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit.

The CRPF personnel allegedly went berserk after the blast and reportedly torched three houses in the village.

Angry residents later took to streets and held demonstrations, alleging that the CRPF personnel set afire three houses in the village and also beat up several locals.

The authorities later pacified the agitating protestors and assured that strict action would be taken against the CRPF personnel, if found guilty.

UNI