SRINAGAR: A deputy sarpanch (village head) who is suspected to have lied that militants attacked and wounded him could face three months in jail.
Police is investigating into whether Noor Muhammad was actually shot at by militants after doctors raised eyebrows over the nature of injury in his arm.
Noor had alleged that he was wounded by a bullet after separatist militants shot at him in a local mosque.
But sources say they believe the wound on Noor’s arm least looked like a bullet injury.“Doctors told us that it was a superficial wound, more like burns. You can imagine, not even one stitch had to be made.”
Police has sent samples for forensic tests in Srinagar.
“We are waiting for the report to clarify our doubts. If he is found to have faked it all, he will be booked. He could be sentenced for three months in jail,” sources told freepresskashmir.
Although no clear conclusions could be made about why Noor lied about being attacked by militants, if he did, sources believe he could have wanted a security cover.
There have been many attacks on village heads, some fatal, since they were elected in 2011.
Authorities have denied security to all the village heads, more than 33,000 in number. But they have assured that the vulnerable among them will be provided Personal Security Officers for their safety.
