There were reports of CRPF personnel running amuck in several places in the town by damaging vehicles and smashing windows, even as entry of outsiders to Shopian was blocked.
After three days of relentless protests by residents, the southern township was put under a tight siege today, and even neighbours of the victims’ family were not allowed to come out of their homes to visit the tragedy-hit household.
The army was called in today, and forces deployed in every lane and by lane, buttoning the town up to prevent a condolence gathering at the home of 23-year-old Neelofar and her 17-year-old sister-in-law, Aasiya.
Reports said that thousands of forces personnel deployed in the town with armoured personnel carriers blocking key routes to seal it off completely.
Vehicles mounted with multi-barrel tear gas guns were deployed in several areas to deal with possible protest demonstrations.
The military arrangements created a sense of fear and siege in the town, and only the relatives who had been camping in the victims’ house since the tragedy came to light were able to take part in their chaharum.
The police, however, said that no curfew had been imposed in the town, but only “some” restrictions had been placed on the movement of the public to maintain law and order.
Residents, on the other hand, alleged that forces personnel went on a rampage at several places during the undeclared curfew and smashed scores of vehicles parked on the roads.
Allegations that troopers had ransacked homes and smashed doors and windows were leveled by residents for the fourth day running.
They said that they could not visit the victims’ family for condolence, and it was mourning alone with no one to comfort them.
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