Thaindian News

Srinagar, Dec 13 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday formally charged 20 persons for setting ablaze public property worth crores of rupees in the north Kashmir town of Tangmarg during last year’s summer unrest.

A police statement issued here Tuesday evening said, “Baramulla police today presented a charge sheet against 20 persons in the competent court of law for setting ablaze government property worth crores of rupees at Tangmarg last year.”

“The incident had happened on September 13, 2010, when an unruly mob wrought destruction and devastation at Tangmarg town by burning down different government buildings, including the tehsil office complex, animal husbandry department building, social welfare office building and Tyndale Biscoe School building among others”.

This is the first time that police have formally filed charges against someone in connection with arson and destruction of public property during the unrest.

Total of 210 persons died in bloody clashes with security forces across the valley during 2010’s summer unrest.

The statement said a case under FIR number 91/2010 under sections 307, 436, 147,148, 149 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) had been registered by Tangmarg police station after the incident.

“During the course of investigations, police through photographs, video-clips and eyewitnesses identified the accused persons who were leading the mob and orchestrating the arson.”

“Fifteen accused persons were presented before the court and charge sheeted along with five deceased persons for the crimes punishable under sections 307, 436, 147,148, 149 of the RPC”, the statement said.

In the wake of the mass destruction of public property and violence in Tangmarg during last year’s summer unrest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley had visited Tangmarg.