MS Nazki
Poonch: Four students were allegedly beaten to pulp by army troopers after they objected to the frisking of bags of female students in Surankote area of Poonch district.
Four students of Higher Secondary Surankote and Government Degree College were hospitalised after troops from army’s 25 RR thrashed them. The students told GNS that they objected to the frisking of their female counterparts’ bags by the troopers at the main entrance of their educational institutes.
“Despite being students, the army soldiers frisk us and our female counterparts everyday. The troops are stationed in premises of our educational institutes and control the main gate,” said Shafana Ali Kazmi, one of the four injured students. “We simply told them not to frisk female students but they got infuriated and thrashed us ruthlessly.”
The three other students have been identified as Shahbaz Khan (10th class), Umar Naseeb (BA 3rd semester) and Muhammad Aarif (BA 3rd semester). All the injured are hospitalised at Sub District Hospital Surankote.
BMO Dr Pervaz Khan told GNS that all the four youth have injury marks on their bodies and also head injuries. “But all of them are stable,” he said.
Following the incident, the students took to streets and staged anti-army protests. They demanded action against the erred soldiers and removal of 25 RR camp from the premises of school and college. The students blocked the main road and dispersed only after the assurances of top officials including SSP Poonch.
Meanwhile, the local student and political bodies have called for 2-day shutdown in Surankote against the incident.(GNS)