Handwara protest: ASI suspended for 'mishandling' situation

"Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiq Ahmad has been suspended pending inquiries into yesterday's incident," a senior police official said.

He said a magisterial probe and a departmental inquiry are being conducted into the incident. Three persons -- two youths and a woman -- were killed when security forces opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting mob which was protesting against alleged molestation of a girl by some of its personnel.

The girl has denied she was molested and accused two local youths of hatching a conspiracy.