Army-policemen 'misunderstanding' resolved in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 26 (IANS) The army Monday said it has amicably resolved a "misunderstanding" between some soldiers and policemen in Sonamarg hill station in Jammu and Kashmir that had resulted in a scuffle May 23.

"On May 23, as a result of some misunderstanding, there was a scuffle between the army and police personnel deployed at Sonamarg," defence spokesman Lt. Col. N.N. Joshi said in a statement here Monday.

"Some sections of the media misrepresented the facts about the incident, generating apprehension about army-police relations getting strained at the local level.

"As soon as the matter came to the notice of Chinar Corps headquarters, it was pro-actively taken up with senior police officials and military authorities of Sonamarg were ordered to investigate," he said.

Maj. Gen. J.S Cheema, chief of staff of Chinar Corps, Monday visited Sonamarg and presided over a meeting attended by the deputy inspector general of police (Central Kashmir), Ganderbal deputy commissioner and police superintendent and other officers.

The meeting discussed the incident and also the issue of fencing of the army ground in Sonamarg.

"The misgivings prevailing over both the issues were ironed out in an extremely amicable manner," the spokesperson said.

The army assured that strict disciplinary action will be taken after the court of inquiry against the people found guilty.

The police station house officer has been changed, the army replaced the personnel prima facie found to be involved in the incident, he said.

Army personnel of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) had clashed with policemen at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district May 23, resulting in injuries to three policemen.

Police registered an FIR, while the army ordered a court of inquiry.