BANDIPORA; Residents of Hajan and Naidkhai towns in Bandipora district Tuesday alleged that paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has created ‘mayhem’ and was on a 'vandalizing spree'.

Pic by Fayaz Ahmad

Hajin residents said over phone that the CRPF went berserk in the area and 'spared none'. “The CRPF men broke glasses of the houses, broke window panes and ransacked vehicles,” said a local, adding: “They have created a reign in the localities.”

Hajan is witnessing violent protests after a youth was killed in police action on Friday evening last week at Naidkhai. “I was serving tea to my eight and ten year old sons at my home. Suddenly, CRPF men entered our house and broke window-panes and glasses. In order to save my family, we hid in the bathroom,” Shameema, a resident of Syed Mohalla, said.

Another woman, who wished not to be named, alleged: “CRPF even beat women after entering houses. They dragged three women and tried to arrest them but later left them away.”

Sources in the town said the forces went berserk in Parray Mohalla, Mir Mohalla, Danger Mohalla, Syed Mohalla and Kochak Mohalla. “CRPF are on vandalizing spree. Since past two days, they have brutalized the population,” another local added.

Naidkhai town residents leveled similar allegation. “They have been beating people, breaking glasses and window-panes with stones and sticks since past three days,” a resident said.

But CRPF rejected the allegations. “These are baseless allegations. We have ordered our men not to indulge in these kinds of activities,” Public Relations Officer of CRPF, Kishore Prasad, told.

“If locals can prove allegations against any of our men, we will take action against him,” he added.