A group of villagers today protested outside a Deputy Commissioners Office near here, alleging roughing up of three persons including a woman by security forces during an operation in Bandipora district, prompting police to fire teargas shells to disperse the crowd.
Three persons - Sakina Bano, Ghulam Hassan and Javid Ahmad - were allegedly subjected to torture by security forces during the course of search operations at Chuntimulla forest this morning, resulting in injuries to them, officials said.
They said the incident triggered protest by some agitated villagers, who took to the streets and staged a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioners Office in the main town, 55 kms from here, against the incident.
Demanding action against those personnel for roughing up civilians, the protesters refused to disperse despite assurance by senior police and civil officials, and continued with the protest, the officials said.
Later, they said police fired a few teargas shells and used batons to disperse the protesters, who also indulged in stone-pelting.
Reinforcements have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, the officials said, adding none was hurt in the clashes.
