Man allegedly chased to death; Protests erupt in Wachi

Srinagar: Protests erupted in Wachi area of Shopian district in south Kashmir on Sunday after drowning of a person after he was allegedly chased away by police during operation against Bhang cultivation.
Reports said that Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, 35, of Wachi drowned in Jehelum after he was allegedly chased away by the police. However, police strongly refuted the allegations.
Soon after the death of Lone, hundreds of people assembled on Sangam-Pulwama road and started protests against the police. They alleged that Lone was chased away by police personnel of Zainpora police station, SOG personnel of Imam Sahib camp and CRPF personnel.
Sources told KNS that SP Shopian Mumtaz Ahmad immediately reached to the spot and assured the protesters that the matter would be investigated. However, the protesters refused the assurances. Later the body was buried in the local graveyard, reports said.
Police sources told KNS that report has been lodged in the local police station in the matter.
-KNS