Victims narrate horror: When army went on rampage in Pampore

SRINAGAR: Even doctors and paramedical staff at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) in capital Srinagar were awed to see the tortured men from Shar Shali Khrew area of Pampore. The attendants were busy narrating the “horrible” incident to the reporters. The men lying on the hospital beds were hardly able to speak what transpired on the fateful night of August 17 to them.

“At around 10 on Wednesday night electric supply was snapped in the area. After half an hour, I heard the sound of armoured vehicles. I thought army have arrived to raid somebody’s house. Suddenly, the hubbub and cries sent chills down to my spine. Army carrying axes and hammers with them broke the door of our house. How they thrashed and interrogated us is beyond expression. I can’t define how they behaved. I don’t know whether they were hitting me and my family members with iron rods or bamboo sticks,” said a wounded civilian lying on a hospital bed.

Another wounded eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said it was a hell like situation. “The army men from 50 RR camp treated us as cattle. Women were caged in a room and male members were dragged out from their houses. Some of them were whisked away while some were left to die in the area. I don’t know who brought me in the hospital,” he said.

When this reporter visited the area, the wailing women who were waiting for the body of contractual lecturer beaten to death by Army men said that they escaped from Army wrath by hiding themselves in nearby paddy fields. “These men from 50 Rashtriya Rifles camp raided our houses with the sole purpose to maim and kill us. We can’t express in words, how they behaved.”

“Look at our houses and look at the belongings. They destroyed everything and looted the valuables,” said an eyewitness.

A doctor treating the wounded at SMHS hospital said that almost all the people admitted here had received multiple injuries. “They carry multiple torture marks,” he said.

Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, Commander Lieutenant General Satish Kumar Dua said that army will investigate the matter. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, Lt General Dua said, “The incident is regrettable. It was a joint patrol and one death has taken place. I am aware of it. We will investigate into the matter,” he said and added that army is being given clear cut directions not to get involved in law and order problems.