Vehicle crushes Srinagar civilian in clashes during gunfight
Srinagar, May 5 :A civilian was killed after being hit by a vehicle during protests by residents of an old Srinagar city area amid a gunfight between security forces and militants.
Locals alleged that a vehicle of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) ran over Adil Ahmed Yadoo as people protested and clashed with security forces near the shootout site in Safa Kadal -- a densely populated downtown neighbourhood on the banks of Jhelum.
The area is some distance away from Chattabal where a militant was killed in an ongoing gunfight with security forces.
However, CRPF PRO Rakesh Yadav refuted the allegation that the civilian was hit by a vehicle of the force.
"There was no CRPF vehicle in the area and the allegation is baseless,"says Yadav.
Locals and police said Yadoo was critically injured in the accident and was taken to the nearby S.M.H.S. Hospital. He was declared brought dead.
"Medical bulletin suggests that the person died due to a crush injury in a road traffic accident. Citizens may not pay heed to rumours," police said in a statement.
Meanwhile, intermittent firing exchange was still on in the area even as security forces killed a militant, police said.
Security forces including police and CRPF surrounded the Chattabal area following a tip-off about the presence of two militants in a hideout.
"One holed-up militant is still engaged in the gunfight with the security forces," a police source said.
A CRPF officer has been injured and internet services were suspended across the Srinagar district.
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Singer MG Sreekumar fined Rs 25,000 for dumping waste in Kochi backwaters
KOCHI, Apr 3 (PTI): A local body near here has slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 against noted playback singer M G Sreekumar for allegedly dumping waste into the Kochi backwaters.
The Mulavukad Grama Panchayat issued a notice directing the singer to pay the fine within 15 days, the authorities said on Thursday.
The notice was issued after a tourist captured a video on their mobile phone showing a garbage bag being thrown into the Kochi backwaters from the singer's house located in Mulavukad panchayat area, panchayat sources said.
According to the sources, a few days ago, this video was posted on social media, tagging Local Self Government Minister M B Rajesh.
In response, the minister stated that complaints regarding public littering, supported by evidence, could be submitted to the government’s WhatsApp number (94467 00800) for action.
After receiving the complaint, the local body’s control room directed the panchayat authorities to inspect the site the same day and confirm the incident, panchayat sources added.
Subsequently, a notice directing to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 was issued under the relevant sections of the Panchayat Raj Act, the sources said.
"After considering the response from the singer, the panchayat will initiate further action if required," said a top panchayat functionary.
However, the singer has not responded to the issue so far.
