NEW DELH, Mar 17: A video of a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP)-rank officer allegedly kicking and abusing protesters and relatives of two youths found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kulgam in south Kashmir and a third still “missing,” has triggered strong protests inside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday. The police gave ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Cutting across party lines, legislators from the National Conference (NC), the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress protested over the issue inside the Assembly. Ruling NC legislators Javed Choudhary, Mian Mehar Ali, Javaid Mirchal and Zaffar Ali Khatana, in order to register their protest, hurtled towards the well of the House but were stopped by Marshals.
Students of the Jammu University and the lawyers in Jammu have also held protest demonstrations.
“Is J&K a police state? Can police shoot, arrest anyone? Is there no law for the police?” said Nazir Gurezi, a NC legislator. The protesting legislators were pacified by the statement of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather who said “J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will address the matter.”
A video of policemen kicking and beating protesters, including women, in Kulgam during a demonstration on Sunday went viral online in J&K, evoking sharp reactions from political parties and activists. The protesters sought a probe into the mysterious deaths of two youths from Kulgam when they were allegedly thrashed by the police.
Three youths — Mohammad Showkat Bajad, Riyaz Ahmad Bajad and Mukhtar Ahmad — were reported missing since February 13 from Mah Ashmuji area of Kulgam. The bodies of two brothers, Showkat and Riyaz, both from Chata Doonda, Rajouri, were recovered from Vaishow Nallah last week. The third youth still remains missing. Security forces have launched an operation to trace him.
The doctor who performed the post-mortem on the recovered bodies suspected the death to be a case of “ante mortem drowning.” Gujjar leader Talib Hussain demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter. “The youths were missing at a time when most water bodies were reported dry in Kashmir. We have the right to suspect and demand an investigation to rule out any foul play. How did the victims reach there? Was it drowning or were the victims placed inside any trench? It’s unfortunate the Station House Officer (SHO) thrashed us, even fasting women, and threatened fake encounters. Is it a crime to seek justice?” Mr Hussain said.
“A video has surfaced on social media regarding a police officer’s conduct with the public in Kulgam. We have taken cognisance of yesterday’s incident and the allegations regarding the officer’s conduct. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Srinagar, will enquire and submit his findings within 10 days,” a police spokesman said.
Meanwhile DIG, south Kashmir, Javaid Iqbal Matoo, met protesters who blocked the national highway in Qazigund on Monday. “Unfortunate, if anyone has acted wrongly with people. A mother who lost his son has the right to protest. Anyone who acted wrongly will face action as per law. The mobile phones will be returned (to protesters). An investigation is on into the deaths and the circumstances under which they died will be shared,” the DIG said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti alleged that the authorities locked the gates of her house on Monday. “Such is the high handedness that they don’t even have the courtesy to inform us. I wanted to visit Kulgam where bodies of two young men who disappeared mysteriously were finally found. What are the authorities trying to hide here?”
She said it was shocking and unbecoming for a policeman to kick a woman only because she was peacefully protesting. “It is this high-handed behaviour from officers expected to uphold law that creates a trust deficit alienating people even further,” Ms Mufti said.
A protest also broke out at Jammu University against the alleged misbehaviour of a police officer with women in Kulgam. The protesters demanded action against the officer. “Jammu police detained students of Jammu University and should release them immediately,” Guftar Choudhary, a Gujjar leader, said. Meanwhile, a group of Jammu lawyers also held a demonstration in Jammu and sought action against the police officer.
(Manas Dasgupta)