The Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday evening arrested five personnel of the paramilitary, Central Industrial Security Force following the killing of a villager when CISF personnel opened fire at Boniyar in north Kashmir Baramulla district. The villagers were protesting erratic power supply in the area.

The state government expressed 'deep regret on the tragic firing incident' at Boniyar on Monday and said 'it has taken a very serious view of the incident and has asked state police to take immediate steps to bring those responsible for the incident to book'.

Principal Secretary, Home,  B R Sharma told a news conference that a case has been registered at the police station at Boniyar and five CISF personnel identified as Sub-inspector Krishan Thapa, Havaldar Dwarka Prashad, Constables Raju Ranjan, Ajay Singh and Mohammad Shabir have been arrested.

He said that it has been has further clarified that the CISF, whose troops opened fire, were not part of the CI (Counter Insurgency) Grid Operating in Jammu and Kashmir and have been deployed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation exclusively for the security of their installations across the state.

Sharma further said the state government has taken up the matter with the Union home ministry and lodged serious protest and demanded stern exemplary action against the delinquent officers.

He said the protest was against the NHPC and it was appropriate for the NHPC to have sought the assistance of the local law and order machinery rather than dealing with the situation on its own.