The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday booked several army personnel, including a Commanding Officer, for allegedly storming a police station in the Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel, and damaging government property, officials said.
The Army said the matter is under investigation through appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured that proper action would be taken against those involved after a joint investigation.
Officials said the incident occurred after a police party intercepted and seized a private vehicle owned by an Army official for alleged traffic violations.
An FIR registered at the 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 said he received a call informing him about the “criminal conspiracy” and the violent assault that took place inside the police station under the direct instructions of Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Commanding Officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). He said around 30 to 40 personnel from 16 RR camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, 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.
Their intention was to inflict maximum damage to the police station and cause serious injuries to personnel on duty.
Kotach said when he rushed back, he too was 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 reached the spot.
“The accused Army personnel, acting with 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.
Several other police officers also sustained injuries during the “unprovoked assault”. The FIR names Colonel Gandhi, Major Sharma, Naib Subedar Gurkhe, Sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh, Omkar Ingale, and other unidentified Army personnel of the 17 RR camp as accused.
When asked, a spokesperson from the 17 RR camp said, “Appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation.”
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