Protest erupt as soldier allegedly eve-teases a girl in Baramulla

SRINAGAR — An Army Commanding Officer Saturday pacified angry mob and stopped the issue getting snowballed into a major controversy when he ‘apologized’ to people who alleged that a soldier, part of a patrolling party, passed ‘lewd’ comments on a young girl in Singhpora area of Pattan town here in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday morning.

Local sources said that soldiers from 29 Rashtriya Rifles stationed at Khanpeth camp were patrolling in a vehicle in Singhpora area when a soldier allegedly passed ‘vulgar’ comments on a young girl. The girl raised hue and cry, attracting the attention of people. In a jiffy, scores of people assembled and started raising pro-freedom and anti-Army slogans.

“After passing lewd remarks, the soldier threatened her as well and this is unacceptable and we won’t tolerate it,” said an elderly protester. The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the ‘erring’ soldier.

Police team led by SDPO Zafar Mehdi and Chowki Officer Mirgund police post, Muhammad Ashraf rushed to spot to pacify the protesters.

Police, without any delay informed Commanding Officer, stationed at Hyderbeigh Pattan about the incident, who rushed to the spot to ascertain the facts.

SDPO Pattan said that they are still verifying the matter. Chowki Officer Muhammad Ashraf said that though the Army soldier had done nothing, still the Commanding Officer apologized to people and pacified them. The officer told the people that he apologizes, though he doesn’t know whether his soldier has done such a stupid thing or not.

The police officer said that people dispersed peacefully after the assurance of Army officer that the matter will be probed thoroughly.