J&K cop quits ‘under pressure’

Apparently succumbing to pressure from locals who were religiously obeying protest schedules issued by separatists to prolong the civil unrest, a Jammu and Kashmir policeman on Monday announced his resignation and chanted “aazadi” slogans at a rally at Behrampora outside the town of Sopore, 48 km northwest of here. Another policeman promised to follow suit soon.

A report received here said that two special police officers, Firdous Ahmed and Waseem Ahmed Shiekh, appeared at the small rally — one of them directly and the other through an emissary — and said they want to resign. While Ahmed said he already resigned, Sheikh sent a message saying he too will quit his job.