The BSF has said that the violent mob which attacked its Company Operating Base at Dharam in Ramban last week did so with an intention ‘to capture the post’, forcing the paramilitary along with the State police to fire in self-defence.
The violent mob heavily pelted stones endangering the life and property of BSF personnel and the police posted there, the force said in a report to the Union Home Ministry over the firing incident. The report also said both the police and the BSF personnel fired in self-defence so as to protect the life, property and arms and ammunition.
The firing incident took place in front of senior police and district officials. Photographs portraying damage to the post and vehicles by the violent mob have also been appended with the report. Four persons were killed in the firing.
Giving a sequence of the events leading to the firing on July 18, the report said an ambush-cum-patrolling party of COB Dharam of 76 Battalion intercepted Mohammad latif, 25, at around 9 pm on last Wednesday and enquired about his identity. latif, according to the BSF, did not take the queries in the right spirit and entered into an argument with paramilitary personnel. In the meantime, 15 to 20 people assembled near the Dharam post.
latif also mentioned baseless and false allegations against BSF claiming the patrol party mistreated and desecrated the Holy Quran and the same was announced from the local mosque following which a crowd of 400-500 persons gathered near the post around 12.30 am and started stone pelting at the BSF post.
The BSF, in its report, said it restrained from firing and informed the local police about the likelihood of deterioration of the situation in the wake of violent action from the locals. The police party arrived immediately on the scene and took stock of the situation and the crowd was dispersed at 3 am.
However, around 6.45 am a mob started to build up in big numbers and tried to forcefully enter into Dharam campus while pelting stones. “Due to deteriorating law and order situation, the police tried to disperse the mob and fired three-four rounds. BSF Constable Ramhari got bullet injury in his stomach. Two civilians also sustained bullet injuries and were taken to the nearest hospital in Government vehicle,” the report said. However, again at 9.30 am a mob comprising 700-800 men started vigorous stone pelting on the BSF post.
The BSF said police and the paramilitary men had to fire in self defence. BSF restrained from firing and kept patience even when, one of BSF jawans got injured due to manhandling and stone pelting by civilians. Protesters blocked all the roads around the BSF post at Dharam which resulted in the force personnel being confined to the post.