‘Rumour’ was the source of trouble: CRPF

KL Report

SRINAGAR

Central Reserve Police Force Saturday said that it was a ‘baseless rumour’ that created havoc at Baltal Base Camp for Amarnath Yatris on Friday.

The Commanding Officer of CRPF 54 Battalion C S C Rawat deputed at Baltal to ensure safe and secure Yatra told CNS that it were CRPF personnel who pacified the violent yatris otherwise the situation could have turned more volatile. “Yatris were furious when locals burnt down community kitchens on fire but our timely intervention forced Yatris and Bhandarawalas to go on back foot,” he said adding that only 20 odd local policemen were there to control the situation.

He said that Yatris suffered heavy losses than the local tent owners. “At least 9 community kitchens were set on fire by the locals while each kitchen contains food items worth lakhs of rupees. “Who told you that locals suffered huge losses, it were non-local Bhandarawalas who lost their life time savings,” Rawat said.

He alleged that locals looted the Bhandaras and even tried to set the ammunition store of CRPF on fire. “Our two men who were in plain clothes had been arrested by police but they released them soon after knowing about their identity. These allegations are baseless that CRPF joined hands with Yatris and set the tents on fire. It is not our job to create chaos and confusion,” he told CNS adding that last time also these locals disrupted the peace and order at Baltal.

Rawat further revealed that the situation turned more volatile when the senior police and administrative officials reached Baltal. “The presence of senior police and administrative officials provoked both locals and Yatris who resorted to heavy stone-pelting,” he said adding that CRPF performed its duty and protected the lives of Yatris.

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