[Reader-list] Baramulla boy drowns amid police chase

[Aditya Raj Baul]

Baramulla boy drowns amid police chase

Locals blame cops, DC awaits body

Wasim Khalid /Asem Mohidin
Srinagar / Baramulla, July 17:
http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25090&Itemid=1

A nine-year-old boy went missing after he jumped into River Jhelum to
escape the policemen who were chasing him during clashes in north
Kashmir’s Baramulla town.
 However, locals alleged the boy was pushed into the river by the
chasing policemen.
After the shopkeepers downed shutters of their shops and traffic
disappeared from roads Saturday afternoon, people staged a peaceful
protest demonstration at Azad Gunj Baramulla.
“Policemen reached the spot and tried to disrupt the protesters by
using force. The police action angered the youth who pelted stones and
bricks toward them. The policemen fired tear smoke canisters and
resorted to heavy baton charge to disperse the protestors,” locals
said.
They said three youngsters including a nine-year-old boy Faizan Ahmad
Buhroo son of Muhammad Rafiq Bohroo were caught by surprise after
police contingents trapped them. “The trio was not a part of protest
demonstrations but was watching the protests. Finding themselves
trapped, they tried to run for safety. However, they were chased by
policemen who arrested one of the boys while two others including
Faizan jumped into River Jhelum,” they said.
They said Faizan got drowned as he did not know how to swim. “He was
waving and crying for help but no one could rush to save him as the
policemen were chasing the protestors.
“The other boy identified as Jan Ahmad Ahangar managed to swim to
safety. He was hospitalised,” locals said.
However, some residents alleged that Ahangar and Faizan were pushed
into River Jhelum by the chasing cops. “The boys were pushed into the
river by a local SOG man who was seen by people doing this,” they
alleged.
As the news spread that Faizan was missing after being allegedly
pushed into Jhelum by policemen, hundreds of people thronged to the
river banks to locate the missing boy.
The efforts were on to trace him out when reports last poured in.
The youth of the area staged massive anti-India demonstrations to
protest against the policemen for pushing the nine-year-old boy into
the river. They clashed with police and paramilitary CRPF men who
resorted to heavy tear gas shelling. The clashes continued until late
evening.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bashir Ahmad Bhat said it was premature
to say anything at this point of time.
“We have a report that the boy is missing. He has reportedly drowned
in the river. Once the body is fished out, government will look into
the matter,” he said.