Army regrets lecturer killing; orders probe

Srinagar, Aug 18: Army today expressed regret over the death of a lecturer in alleged thrashing by soldiers in Khrew area of Pulwama district last night and ordered an inquiry into the incident even as police registered a murder case against unknown security personnel.

30-year-old Shabir Ahmad Monga, a contractual lecturer, died when he and several others were allegedly beaten up by army personnel at Khrew late last night, police said.

As many as 18 people, mostly youth, have been admitted to a hospital here with injuries suffered allegedly due to thrashing by the army personnel. General Officer Commanding of Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Satish Dua regretted the incident and said a probe has been ordered into the incident.

Police also registered a murder case against unknown security personnel. "A case under sections 307 (attempt to Murder), 302 (murder), 427 (mischief causing damage to property) and 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered against unknown secuirty personnel in connection with the incident at Khrew last night in which one Shabir Ahmad Monga was killed and 18 others were injured," a police official said.

According to the locals, army conducted house to house searches for the youth who were leading protests in Khrew late last night which was resisted by the residents. They claimed that the security forces rounded up 28 youth including Monga and beat them up, resulting in his death.

PTI