DODA: Mysterious masked men have let loose a reign of terror in Muslim populated areas of Chenab Valley, according to residents.
The police have denied these claims as just rumours.
People alleged that unknown masked men along with weapons knock at their doors during Sehri (pre-dawn meals) and night prayers.
“We are being terrorized,” one of the residents of Thatri Thesil told a local news agency CNS, adding that from last one week these unknown masked men were continuously appearing in scores of hamlets of Chenab Valley including Zanri, Jangalwar, Faksu, Khanpora, Trinkli, Kahra, Kencha, Bhatyas, Bonjah, Saroor and Drabshalla.
“A few days ago they entered into a house when we were busy offering night prayers and they tried to kidnap a child from the house. However, the hue and cry raised by the women folk forced these men to retreat,” he said.
“We are surprised why these masked men appear in Muslim areas only. May be they don’t enter Hindu hamlet because of the presence of VDCs there. There are no VDCs in Muslim hamlets and even the Officials don’t allow Muslims to make use of licensed guns,” a resident, Mohammad Talib said.
People believe that it is an attempt to divert the attention of the people from the case of fake encounter specialist Shiv Kumar.
“He is involved in so many innocent killings and we firmly believe that an atmosphere is being created to make police believe that militants are still present in Muslim areas so that Shiv kumar could be assigned the job to face them,” said Irshad Ahmed, another resident.
When contacted, Superintendent of Police Doda, Arief Reshu said no masked men were roaming in the region and that these were all rumours.
“It has not been verified on ground. I appeal people not to pay attention towards rumours. We have already talked to heads of villages in this regard and till date the presence of these masked men have proved only hoax,” he said.
