New Delhi, October 2
The Army has apologised to Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, who were allegedly beaten up mercilessly by its troops after the kerosene and petrol meant for Army use was seized by the policemen following allegations that it was to be sold in open market.
After state Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, police chief Kuldeep Khoda and union home ministry adopted a tough posture by taking up the incident with the army, Major-Gen Rajinder Singh met the police at the Magam police post in Kupwara district and apologised on behalf of his men, official sources said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has said it would continue with its investigations against the Major and 30 other personnel against whom a case was registered on September 26.
Senior police officials denied the claims made by the Army spokesperson in Srinagar that a joint probe would be initiated in the case.
“There is no law under which the Army can probe any civilian matter and such statements are only intended to undo the misdeeds of some Army personnel,” a senior official of the state home department said.
The police registered an FIR against the Major of 33 Rashtriya Rifles and 30 jawans on the charge of attempt to murder when they beat up a sub-inspector of the Magam police post and five others, who had intercepted a tractor-trolley containing petrol and kerosene of the Army for sale in the open market.
The sources said Major-Gen Rajinder Singh met all policemen, including the sub-inspector who was recovering in the Soura Medical Institute from multiple fractures and head injuries, and apologised and assured such incidents would not recur.
According to a report submitted by the state police to the union home ministry, the Army men walked away with Rs 35,000 meant for special police officers, a mobile phone, one digital camera, a wrist watch, an AK-47 rifle, six magazines and 108 rounds of ammunition, the sources said.
The matter was taken up with the union home ministry, which took up the issue with the Army and demanded immediate action in the matter.
Azad, who would be in the Capital later this week, was also slated to meet defence minister A.K. Antony and take up the issue as this would not help the over all situation in the militancy-hit state, the sources said.
— PTI
