BRO vehicle set ablaze in separatist-sponsored general strike in Kulgam

SRINAGAR: A vehicle of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was set on fire by a mob protesting against the killing of two militants and a civilian in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.

The crowd set the BRO vehicle ablaze near Wanpoh in Khudwani area of Kulgam on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway last evening, a police officer said today.

He said that the police have registered a case and investigations are on to nab the culprits involved in the arson.

Groups of youth staged demonstrations at various places in Kulgam yesterday during separatist-sponsored general strike against the killing of two militants and a civilian during a gunbattle on Monday.

Meanwhile, Army has strongly condemned torching of the vehicle and said,"such actions will hamper the development in the state and make the task of BRO of road construction and other development works more difficult."

"The miscreant action is by the inimical elements who are working against the interests of the Awam (people) and the development of the state," army said in a statement here.

The Army said the BRO not only constructs roads and infrastructure in difficult terrain and inhospitable weather conditions of the state but also ensures road connectivity by clearing landslides during rains and snow during the winters.

The organisation was also in the forefront of rescue and relief operations undertaken by the Army in the floods of 2014, the Army said.

The army said the police and the Army are investigating the matter.