South Kashmir DSP accuses security forces of vandalism

SRINAGAR : After a police officer accused his colleagues of vandalism in south Kashmir’s Anantnag on Facebook, several residents of the town have come forward with similar claims against security personnel.

South Kashmir deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Nisar Ahmad Bakshi late on Thursday evening posted pictures of broken window panes and wrote a scathing Facebook update accusing security forces of damaging the windows of parents’ house, parked vehicles and shops.

“Vandalism by security forces at KP road Anantnag. Pr(o)perty worth lacs including windows and window pan(e)s of my residential house damaged. Houses/ vehicles and shops smashed and attacked by rods and rocks. This is for the 8th time since 2008 that my residential house has been damaged in such a way,” Bakshi, who is with the state human rights commission, wrote.

Bakshi said that his family’s house is right on the edge of highway and security forces had responded after “routine” stone pelting in the area on Wednesday evening.

“Not only mine but some 10-15 more houses and vehicles were damaged,” he said. “Most of the times my house has been damaged by security forces”.

Bakshi did not did not blame any specific agency for the vandalism. However, a shopkeeper, Mohsin Sofi, said vandals were from the special operations group of the police department.