J-K: Over 40 security personnel, 7 civilians injured in clashes during protests over rape of girl

Over 40 security personnel, including an officer, and seven civilians were injured on Monday as clashes broke out in Jammu and Kashmir during protest against the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in Bandipora district, police said.

Youths held protests and pelted stones at security forces at several locations in Baramulla district in north Kashmir, a police official said.

Forty-seven personnel of the security forces were injured in the clashes at Mirgund, Chainabal, Harnath, Singhpora, Jheel Bridge, Kripalpora Payeen and Hanjiwera areas of the district.

An assistant commandant of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) received injury on his head, the official said.

Seven civilians were also injured in the clashes, he said, adding all of them were stable.

A shutdown was also observed in Kargil town as locals took out a rally over the incident.

The protesters raised slogans in support of their demand for exemplary punishment to the accused who is in police custody, the officials said.

They ..