Jammu, Jun 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered an FIR against several Army personnel, including a Commanding Officer, for allegedly storming a police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel and damaging government property, officials said on Thursday.
The Indian Army said the matter is under examination through appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured full cooperation with the legal process, adding that suitable action will be taken based on the outcome of a joint investigation.
According to officials, the incident was triggered after a police party intercepted and seized a private vehicle belonging to an Army official for alleged traffic violations.
The FIR, registered at Atholi Police Station, states that the incident took place on Wednesday when Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Amrit Kotach was attending a meeting at the office of the Paddar Block Development Officer, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner.
In his complaint, Kotach alleged that around 30 to 40 personnel from 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Camp Kijayee, acting under the directions of Commanding Officer Colonel N. Arun Gandhi and led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, forcibly entered the police station after scaling the main gate and boundary wall. The personnel were allegedly armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons.
The SHO alleged that the attack was pre-planned and carried out with the intention of causing fatal injuries to police personnel. He claimed that on returning to the police station, he was physically assaulted by Major Sharma and that his uniform was torn during the incident.
The FIR further alleges that Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat, who also reached the spot, was assaulted along with other police personnel. Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar allegedly suffered serious injuries after being struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, while several other policemen were also injured.
According to the complaint, the Army personnel also assaulted the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his personal security officers inside the police station.
Police further alleged that the accused vandalised government property, including the official vehicle of the ARTO, vehicles belonging to the SDPO and SHO, and damaged the main gate of the police station.
The FIR invokes various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants while on duty, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and mischief causing damage to government property, besides provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The FIR names Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, Sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh and Omkar Ingale, besides unidentified personnel of 17 RR, as accused.
Reacting to the development, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police at Atholi and is under examination through appropriate institutional mechanisms. He said the Army would extend full cooperation in the legal process and appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation, adding that it would be premature to comment further while the investigation is underway. (Agencies)
