J&K: Civilian killed in Gujjars, Police clash over land encroachment

Senior civil and police officers were not available for comment as they were reportedly holding meeting till late discussing the situation which was reportedly tense.

Giving details, sources said that trouble erupted on Monday morning when a team of Himachal Police accompanied by their Jammu Kashmir counterparts visited the area along Sarore nullah, where Gujjars had raised pucca structures and also kullahs (thatched huts), to arrest some people wanted in connection with an alleged looting of cash from an ATM machine in Noorpur. However, the Gujjars attacked the policemen, helping the wanted criminals escape.

Following this, fresh reinforcements were sent to the area, with civil administration also pitching in by launching a drive to clear encroachments from the area along Sarore nullah. With the help of JCB machine, they broke two pucca structures and eight kullahs. The police also resorted to lathicharge making the Gujjars flee.

While the operation was in progress, Gujjars reassembled and attacked police party with stones. Some of them grappled with the cops and snatched one carbine and an SLR. During the melee, Yaqoob who reportedly was among the protestors sustained a bullet injury and later died at the hospital.

Sources said that more reinforcements were sent to the area to control the situation. Though stone pelting stopped by evening, the situation was stated to be tense. The police have registered a case and it was looking for its missing SLR till late tonight.