Srinagar: Residents of Damhal Hanjipora and it’s adjacent areas staged protest on Saturday afternoon against the alleged harassment of forces in the area.

Half a dozen shopkeepers were injured after they were ‘ruthlessly beaten’ by government forces at Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir, reported a wire service KNO.

They said that soon after militant posters were spotted in the area, forces went berserk and started beating what ever came in their way.

Official sources said that injured shopkeepers were taken to nearby hospital from where doctors referred four of them to DH Kulgam for specialized treatment.

They identified the injured shopkeepers as Javid Ahmad, 31, Reyaz Ahmad, 27, Sameer Ahmad, 24, Gowhar Ahmad, 22 and Abdul Rashid, 36.

Soon after the incident, hundreds of locals assembled and staged protest and were demanding stern action against the erring forces personnel, eyewitnesses said.

Protesters also blocked traffic on Damhal Hanjipora Kulgam road for hours and were demanding personal intervention of Deputy Commissioner (DC) concerned for appropriate action against government forces.

A police officer told that, “We have taken cognizance of the incident and necessary legal action will be initiated in the case”. (KNO)