Kashmiri Pandit beaten by CRPF personnel in Qazigund

QAZIGUND — In a display of communal brotherhood which has existed in Kashmir for centuries, the locals of Levdoora area in Qazigund on Sunday afternoon rescued a Kashmiri Pandit from the wrath of security forces in the area.

Sources said that a Pandit, Krishan Ji Raina, who has been living in the locality since childhood was rounded up by a patrolling party of the CRPF in the Levdoora area without any provocation.

“Security forces initially questioned him for living in Kashmir despite being a Hindu. Afterwards, they started hitting him with bamboo sticks,” they said.

Krishan Ji son of Gopi Nath Raina of Levdoora has sustained multiple injuries during the assault by CRPF men. The front window of his car has also been smashed as well.

Speaking about the incident, he said that he was on way to Qazigund market to get medicines for his ill wife when the CRPF men intercepted him and started beating him, resulting in multiple injuries.

“Local muslims gathered around the area to rescue me. A man with begging hands pleaded them not to thrash me, however they assaulted him too,” Krishan Ji alleged.

The incident sparked anger in the locality and dozens of other Muslims rushed to help the Pandit man.

“I am thankful to the Muslim community who saved me from the hands of CRPF men, otherwise who knows,” Krishan Ji said.

Krishan Ji also said that the security forces are defaming the local Muslim population, who otherwise are helpful and rescued him from the wrath of security forces.

The locals later took Krishan Ji to the nearby hospital where he is being treated.

A Police official upon being contacted said that the incident has not come into their notice as of now.