25 injured in Kashmir protest against alleged molesation of a girl

Srinagar, May 14 (UNI) At least 25 persons, including nine police personnel, were injured when police resorted to baton charge to disperse demonstrators protesting against alleged molesation of a girl by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at Tral i south Kashmir today.

However, a CRPF spokesman denied the charges while a senior police officer said that two FIR's have been lodged in Tral Police Station and Awantipora Police Station against some people for spreading misinformation and instigating people for violence.

Reports received here said that a teenage girl was allegedly beaten up by CRPF personnel after she protested when they tried to molest her at Mandoora village, Tral, about 40 km from here today.

Later, hundreds of people took to the streets in protest against the incident, raising slogans against CRPF and state administration.

The demonstrators who blocked the main road, demanded action against the accused.

Police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them, sources said adding 25 people were injured.

A police spokesman said some the injured included nine police personnel identified as Special Police Officers (SPO) Showkat Ahmed and Santokh Singh and Personnel Security Officer (PSO) of SHO Tral selection grade constable Mohammed Syed and Abdul Qayoom, constable Mohammed Tufail, Mohammed Maqbool, Mohammed Hussain, Abdul Rashid and Abdul Majeed.

Shops and business establishments in the Mandoora and adjoining areas remained closed and traffic was off the road.

The demonstrators were trying to block the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Senior police and civil officials reached the spot to control the situation.

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