Jammu: Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district have registered an FIR against Army personnel, including a commanding officer, for allegedly storming a police station and causing injuries to policemen with the intention to kill.
Officials said J&K Police have filed an FIR against several Army personnel for allegedly storming a police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel and damaging government property.
The Army has said the matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured that appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the joint investigation.
According to officials, the incident occurred after a police party intercepted and seized a private vehicle owned by an Army official for alleged traffic violations.
The FIR registered at Atholi Police Station stated that the incident took place on Wednesday when the Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Amrit Kotach, was away for a meeting at the office of the Paddar Block Development Officer, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.
In his complaint, Kotach stated that he received a call informing him about the alleged “criminal conspiracy” and the violent assault that took place within the premises of the police station under the direct instructions of Commanding Officer, 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), N Arun Gandhi. Around 30 to 40 personnel from 17 RR Camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, allegedly launched a “pre-planned” attack after scaling the main gate and boundary wall of the police station.
They were armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons, the SHO said.
“Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill the police personnel on duty,” he said, adding that he rushed back to the station and was allegedly physically assaulted by Major Sharma.
According to the FIR, the Army personnel allegedly tore Kotach’s uniform and also assaulted Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat, who had also reached the spot.
“The accused Army personnel, acting with a common criminal intention, also brutally assaulted the deployed policemen,” the SHO said, adding that Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar was struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, resulting in serious injuries.
He said several other police personnel on duty also sustained injuries during the “unprovoked assault”.
The FIR also stated that the Army personnel assaulted the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his personal security officers inside the police station.
The attackers also caused extensive damage to government and public property, vandalising the official vehicle of the ARTO, the vehicles of the SDPO and the SHO, and breaking down the main gate of the police station, the FIR said.
It said the acts of the accused persons disclosed the commission of cognisable offences punishable under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, rioting, house-trespass and criminal trespass, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants while discharging official duties, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, mischief causing damage to government property and other allied offences, as well as provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
(IANS)
