In this file photo, some youth are seen pelting stones at security forces in Kashmir’s Pampore area.
Srinagar: With the lifting of the internet ban in the Valley many videos of the violence during the Srinagar bypoll have gone viral, one of which purportedly shows a security personnel shooting dead a stone-pelter.
In the video, security forces are seen engaging with a group of young stone-pelters while another group carrying rifles emerges from the other side, using a wall to protect themselves from the stones. One of the jawans in the group facing the wall is purportedly seen shooting a protester in the head, following which the young man was carried away by the others.
The video seemed to suggest that the stone-pelter was shot in the head without warning. The new operating procedure requires security forces to lathicharge first, followed by tear gas shelling if the situation does not ease. The next step is the use of pellet guns, followed by firing in the air and finally at the lower half of the body.
The video also suggested the incident took place in a village in Budgam district during the bypoll day violence. Eight people were killed on April 9 and more than 200, including 103 security men, wounded in the fierce clashes.
There is no confirmation on the authenticity of the viral video. However JK DGP S P Vaid said police has seen the video and will lodge an FIR in the case. ”We will take action and proceed against those involved. We will first have to examine the contents.”
Another cop who did not want to be identified said: “We were busy with the polls till yesterday and now we will start investigating the case,” he said.
The new videos have surfaced two days after another one showed stone-pelters heckling and even trying to kick a CRPF jawan, leading to angry reactions on social media. The ban on Internet was lifted on Thursday after it came into effect on April 8, a day before Srinagar constituency was to go for polls.