Srinagar, September 27
Residents of north Kashmir city, Handwara, came out to protest against the highhandedness of the Army as soldiers led by their officers assaulted cops in a police post yesterday evening to free two oil-filled tractor trailers which the police had seized yesterday evening.

DIG, north Kashmir, S. Sriniwasan said they had registered a case against the commanding officer of 33 Rashtriya Rifles, the unit involved in the alleged attack, and others on several charges including attempt to murder. Several cops, including a sub-inspector, received injuries and had to be hospitalised.

Police officials said they had seized two vehicles, one filled with diesel and another with kerosene, as their occupants had no documents and permits for carrying 5,000 litres of fuel. However, the drivers protested against the police action claiming they were doing it at the behest of the Army. However, they could not show any authorisation from the Army and so the cops impounded the vehicles.

Many Army men, led by officers of the rank of Majors, official sources said, soon arrived at the police post and demanded the release of the oil-filled vehicles. Refusal by the cops led to altercation and the soldiers used force to free the vehicles and the accused drivers. The Police said cops present in the post were thrashed by the Army and some of them had to flee.

An Army spokesperson termed the incident "unfortunate" and said a joint investigation with the police had been ordered. The scuffle, he said, resulted due to "misunderstanding" between junior officials of the Army and the police.

The incident sparked protest in thee town and people demanded punishment for guilty soldiers. Senior police officials ,including the DIG had to rush to the spot yesterday evening to defuse the situation.

Chanderkot (Ramban), September 27
Acute shortage of ration in government-run depots has added to the woes of the inhabitants of Ramban as major portion of this district has been facing severe drought -like situation.

Contrary to the claims of the authorities residents of this district are not getting adequate ration from the depots run by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD).

Of the allotted quota of 4600 quintals of atta/ wheat and 2700 quintals of rice, only 30 per cent has so far reached the ration depots.

Although the district has been facing shortage of ration, worst affected areas are Seldhar, Damot, Kanoot, Kanthi, Ahadwa, Dharamkot etc where most of the depots are without ration.

``We have approached the authorities concerned several times but to no avail. In August only 33 per cent of the allotted ration reached depots and this month situation is worse'', rued Mahidass of Hala village. He informed some ration was distributed among BPL families last month.

Echoing similar views, Mela Ram of Dharamkot village alleged the ration meant for poor being sold in open market. He said in September so far atta had not reached in the far-flung areas.

Residents of this district regretted major portion of Ramban had been facing draught but authorities seem to be unconcerned. They rued instead of supplying free ration to drought- affected families, authorities even failed to ensure supply of ration in depots from where they could get subsidised ration.

Tehsil supply officer of CAPD department Nazir Ahmed Shah admitting shortage of ration claimed the ration meant for BPL families had been sent to the depots.

``There is some shortage of ration as APL families are concerned'', admitted Shah but added ration had been dispatched from headquarters to remove shortage of ration.

Former MLA Ramban, Bali Bhagat put all blame on the authorities for the prevailing shortage and alleged a large chunk of population had been facing hardship. He warned of an agitation if authorities failed to streamline the ration supply.

He pointed out despite prevailing drought-like conditions the authorities seem to be unconcerned towards assessing the ground situation. Only a team has been constituted to survey but nothing concrete had been done so far.