Officials protest against attack; demands action against culprits, so called journalist
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Oct 25: Police on Tuesday arrested four persons allegedly involved in a physical assault on a food department officer in Baramulla.
Sources told Kashmir Despatch that four accused held by police are allegedly involved in a physical attack on Sheikh Tariq, assistant director consumer affairs and public distribution. All the four are said to be the residents of Channad-Sangrama.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said that the assault was carried out by the accused following a verbal brawl in the office of the food department at Baramulla.
“The incident took place when a delegation from Khushhal Pora Channad led by Mohammad Subhan Wani was pleading for the ration to be supplied through a sale centre instead of a fair price shop at Channad,” sources said.
The delegation had come to the office of AD Food Baramulla, where they resorted to verbal duel with the employees, Sheikh Tariq, AD Food told Kashmir Despatch.
He added that there are court directions with regard to the matter and the aggrieved residents were told about the same in detail. “They did not listen to our argument which is based on the court direction. Rather the delegation turned violent and started abusing and manhandling with my employees and with me also,” Tariq added.
“They tore the clothes of our employees and resorted to physical assault on me as well. Later the police came to the spot and took some persons into custody,” he told Kashmir Despatch.
After the incident, a union of the food department officials led by district vice president fair price shops of Baramulla staged protest demonstrations. The protesters demanded immediate action against the culprits as warranted under law.
They also alleged that the violent incident had been carried out at the behest of one so called journalist. The protesters alleged that the so-called journalist incites violent incidents and instigates the general public against the department officials in various areas of Baramulla district in order to fulfill his ulterior motives. They also sought police action against the accused scribe.
The protesters announced a pen down strike till the case against the accused attackers is taken to its logical conclusion. “There would be no distribution of ration at fair price shops and other sale centres in Baramulla till the police take a strict action against the culprits,” the protesters announced.
When contacted SHO Baramulla, Showkat Ahmad told Kashmir Despatch that police have registered FIR in the matter and have arrested some of the accused also. “We have already started investigations into the complaint,” he added.
