J-K MLA alleges manhandling by cops; police denies charge

An Independent Jammu and Kashmir MLA today alleged that he was "manhandled" by local cops in Baramullah town in north Kashmir, a charge denied by the police.
Langate MLA Sheikh Abdul Rasheed's spokesman Inam-un-Nabi claimed that he was hurt in police action in Baramulla.
"Rasheed today sustained minor injuries after being dragged by police at Baramulla, where he was going to meet PHE Minister (Sukhnandan Kumar) in connection with various problems of his constituency pertaining to PHE and Irrigation Department," Inam-un-Nabi said in a statement.
The spokesman further alleged that the MLA was "dragged, abused, misbehaved with and his vehicle was also damaged by police using cannons".

SSP Baramulla Imtiyaz Hussain denied the the allegation, saying the MLA and his supporters had "blocked the road".
"We made repeated requests to the MLA to remove his official vehicle from the road which was blocking the traffic. He insisted on staging a dharna when we requested him to go inside the Dak Bungalow for meeting the minister," Hussain told PTI.

The SSP said there was "no manhandling" of the MLA, adding, "he may explore the options at his disposal".
The MLA's spokesman said, "Rasheed had sought appointment with the PHE minister during his tour to Baramulla but when he along with his driver and PRO reached Dak Bungalow, he was not allowed to enter and was detained at the gate by the heavy contingent of police."

He said Rasheed will bring a privilege motion against the concerned SHO, the SSP and the DIG on Monday and will also move court to get an FIR lodged.