Violent protests erupted in Handwara town of Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday, following allegations that a girl student, on her way home, was molested by army personnel.
However, on Wednesday, a video has emerged where the victim has refuted charges leveled against the soldiers and has gone on to claim that it was ‘a local Kashmiri boy who molested’ her.
The army has said that it does not know who filmed the video, reports NDTV.
Meanwhile, curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in parts of Srinagar and Kupwara districts.
J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti raised the matter with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who assured her that a probe will be initiated and the culprits will be punished.
On Tuesday, news of the alleged molestation by soldiers spread across the town like a wildfire and protests broke out.
However, it soon turned violent after the mob started stone-pelting security forces, who in turn opened fire to quell the frenzied mob.
A woman, who was injured in the firing succumbed at a hospital in Handwara, taking the death toll in the incident to three.
Four others injured in the incident were undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
Two youth were killed on Tuesday, as one of them was Nayeem Bhat, a budding young cricketer.
Army has expressed regret over the loss of life in the and initiated an inquiry into the incident.
“Army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life.The matter will be investigated and anybody found guilty, will be dealt as per the law,” an army official said.
(Feature image source: Youtube + PTI)