Two youth have been shot dead allegedly by army personnel in Handwara town during protests by youth against the alleged molestation of a girl by an army man.The dead youths have been identified as Mohammad Iqbal of Bomhama, and Nayeem Qadir Bhat of Handwara in Kupwara district.SP Handwara Ghulam Jeelani Wani said that the two civilians have been killed in during protests.“We are monitoring the situation and the investigation has been taken up in the case,” he told KNS.Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Kumar Rajiv Ranjan that they have called for a magisterial inquiry into the incident.“The situation is critical, and the stone pelting is going on in the town. Police led by SP is at the spot,” Ranjan said.The protests erupted in the town following the news about alleged molestation of a girl by an army man when she was entering a public convenience.
Medical Superintendent Sub-district hospital Handwara told KNS that two youth have died due to firing and three have been injured.“Mohammad Iqbal had bullet injuries in head, while Nayeem Ahmad had bullet injuries in the abdomen. The three injured are stable, they have received mild injuries,” he said.Video clips, purportedly of the Handwara protests, shows that youth protesting against the molestation and then killing, and the police and paramilitary forces firing bullets in air and teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Massive protests are ongoing in the town.Meanwhile, Army Spokesman, Colonel N N Joshi told KNS that the army will investigate the matter and guilty will be dealt as per law.“Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life. Matter will be investigate and anybody found guilty will be dealt as per law,” Joshi told KNS. (KNS)