Minor’s rape triggers outrage across Kashmir
Srinagar: Violent protests erupted against the rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Monday with students, layers, locals residents taking to the streets and seeking a stringent punishment against the culprit.
Besides, a shutdown was also observed across the Valley to mark a protest against the incident. The shutdown was called by Jammu and Kashmir Itehaadul Muslimeen, appealing people to stage protests against the incident.
Reports said that activists of Jammu and Kashmir Itehaadul Muslimeen headed by Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari assembled at Srinagar’s press enclave here and staged protest against the incident.
The protesters were holding placards demanding justice for the victim.
Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari while talking to reporters here said that the government always comes up with assurances but later fails to ensure justice to the victim. “Several such cases like Kunan Poshpora, Uri and others are still pending as the government has failed to ensure justice to the victim,” he said.
Ansari demanded strict punishment for the accused in the heinous crime.
The members of JK Youth Alliances (JKYA) also marched towards Raj Bhawan here to submit a memorandum, demanding time bound investigation and exemplary punishment to the rapists as per Islamic law.
The protest march was however, intercepted by police near Lalit hotel. The memorandum was later handed over to the Rajbawan officials.
The residents of Mandir Bagh area in the uptown also staged a protest against the incident. They also marched from Mandir Bagh to Press enclave here, carrying black flags to express sympathy with the victim.
The protesters mostly women were raising slogans in favour of justice and demanded strict action against the involved person.
Meanwhile, lawyers also staged a protest in Lower Court here demanding stringent action against the culprit, saying that the punishment against the involved persons should be exemplary so that it will serve as a lesson for all.
Meanwhile, scores of youth were injured, one of them critically, in violent protests in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Reports said that massive protests erupted in Chenbal area of Pattan on Monday morning with youth clashing with the security forces.
They said that the forces resorting to tear gas shelling after the protesters pelted them with stones, resulting in injuries to over 12 youth.
One among them, identified as Arshid Ahmad Dar, was hit by a tear gas shell in his head following which he was rushed to Srinagar in a critical condition.
Clashes also broke out in Sopore after the students took to the streets there to protests against the outrageous incident.
Meanwhile, normal life was affected in the city and other parts due to a strike called by a religious-cum-separatist organisation against the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl.
Most schools, shops and other business establishments in the city remained shut due to the strike, officials said.
They said public transport was also affected by the strike.
However, government offices and banks remained open, the officials said.
‘Itehadul Muslimeen’ a religious organisation which is also a constituent of moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference – Sunday called for a complete shutdown across the Kashmir Valley on Monday against the alleged rape of the girl at Sumbal in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
In a statement, ‘Itehadul Muslimeen’ president Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari termed the rape as a blot on the face of humanity.
The presence of people with such ill intentions is proving a rot for the society known for upholding its moral values for centuries. There is a dire need for evolving a joint strategy to deal with these elements, he said.
Ansari demand stern punishment to the culprit.
There should be no leniency adopted while dealing with the person involved in this act. On the one hand, the victim is battling for her life but on the other hand, efforts are being made to save the culprit which is a serious concern, he said. (with inputs from PTI, KNS)
KV News
