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Thousands March Towards Shoe Throwers House

By Wasim Khan

15 August, 2010
Agence India Press

Srinagar: Hundreds of people while defying curfew came out on roads in various wards of Bandipora including on Sunday and staged a massive pro-freedom demonstration, after announcements were made over loud speakers.

Thousands of villagers are marching towards the village of Abdul Ahad Jan, a policeman who tossed a shoe at Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, during August 15 functions at Bakshi Stadium here on Sunday.

Eyewitnesses told Agence India Press that amid pro-freedom and anti-Indian slogans, people are converging from Safapora, Sopore, Sumbal, and many other neighbouring areas of Bandipora towards the Jan Mohalla at Ajas.

They said hundreds of people have already gathered outside Jan’s houses, who are demanding Jan’s immediate release amid pro-freedom slogans.

However, policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers who were deployed there resorted to baton charge, teargas shelling, aerial firing and fire rubber bullets to disperse the youth, who offered stiff resistance and retaliated with stones triggering clashes that were continuing when this report was filed.

People attacked SP Bandipora Junaid Mehmood when he entered Peer Masjid and tried to ransack loudspeakers in Bandipora, locals said.

One Mudasir Ahmed of Nishat Mohall sustained injuries due to a rubber bullet during the clashes.

Clashes were going on when this report was being filed.

Abdul Ahad Jan, son of Dillawar Jan, resident of Ajas district in Bandipora, was immediately whisked away by security forces personnel from the venue, after he threw a shoe at the Chief Minister.

The police said that upon inquiry, they discovered that Jan is a suspended head constable, and is “reportedly mentally unsound”.

The incident reflects the undercurrents of anger within the police establishment over “mishandling” of situation in Kashmir.

The shoe didn’t hit the CM; however, the policeman identified as Abdul Ahad Jan was quickly whisked away from the VIP lounge by security men while he unveiled a black flag and raised “we want freedom” slogans.

The incident happened at 10: 30 am when Omar unfurled the tri-colour and oversaw a customary flag march at Bakshi Stadium where the main function was scheduled.

Omar, however, continued with the function and urged “let people throw shoes not stones.”

In his speech, Omar asked Kashmiris to resume normal life as students, daily wagers and labourers, as daily life has badly suffered due to the shutdown in the past two months.

He also hit New Delhi hard for not fulfilling promises made to the people of the State.

With Sunday's shoe throwing incident, Omar joins the league of home minister P Chidambaram, Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, and former US president George W Bush who have had shoes flung at them.

The shoe hurler was later identified as retired Assistant sub Inspector who had managed to enter the third row of the VIP lounge at the venue without the special pass.

The event reflects both the anger within police ranks and embarrassment to security agencies and administration.

In a statement police said that Jan is facing charges in a criminal case (FIR No: 123, dated: May 21st 2010) in Parimpora police station. “He was arrested by Parimpora Police in this case and was later bailed out by the Court. He was suspended for his criminal activities by the Kulgam Police (Order No: 360 dated: May 22, 2010).”

The suspended head constable was earlier arrested in a robbery case registered at the Shergarhi police station in Srinagar in 2008. He has been under psychiatric treatment in psychiatric hospital, as well as with private doctors, the police said.

Now the question is raised here...what was the suspended head constable doing there in high security if he is not mentally stable?

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