Chaos Erupts in J&K Assembly Over Police Response to Kulgam Demonstrators
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Synopsis
Protests erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as MLAs condemned police actions against demonstrators in Kulgam, following the recovery of two civilian bodies. Legislators demanded accountability and a judicial probe into the deaths of the tribal youths, intensifying the situation within the Assembly.
Key Takeaways
- MLAs protested police brutality in Kulgam.
- A viral video showed a police officer kicking a woman.
- Calls for action against abusive police personnel.
- Families demand a judicial probe into the deaths.
- Ongoing protests in response to police actions.
Jammu, March 17 (NationPress) The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was engulfed in turmoil on Monday as multiple MLAs protested against police actions targeting demonstrators in the Kulgam district. These protests emerged after the grim discovery of two civilian bodies.
The Assembly experienced chaotic scenes as legislators reacted to the police's response to demonstrators who had taken to the streets following the tragic deaths of two tribal youths in the area.
MLA Choudhary Akram from Surankote rose to demand accountability for police officers accused of assaulting a female protester during the unrest.
A video, allegedly showing a police officer kicking a woman involved in the protests, gained widespread attention on social media over the weekend.
On Monday, the Kashmir Zone police addressed the incident via their X handle, stating, “A video has come to light concerning a police officer’s behavior with the public in Kulgam. We are aware of the incident from yesterday and will investigate the allegations against the officer. DIG SKR will conduct an inquiry and report back within 10 days.”
In the Assembly, Choudhary Akram expressed, “It is troubling that a lady was assaulted by a police officer. The House must condemn this action.”
Legislators from the ruling National Conference (NC), Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also voiced their demands for action against the involved police personnel.
NC MLA Nazir Gurezi questioned, “Are we living in a police state? Can law enforcement shoot or detain anyone at will? Is there no law governing the police?”
The uproar escalated as NC members Javed Choudhary, Mian Mehar Ali, Javaid Mirchal, and Zaffar Ali Khatana attempted to breach the well of the House but were restrained by Marshals.
Amid ongoing protests, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather conveyed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would address the concerns raised by the protesting legislators.
The bodies of the two tribal youths, who had been missing since February 13, were discovered in Kulgam, inciting the local protests.
The victims' families claim they were tortured to death and are demanding a judicial investigation to reveal the perpetrators.
The three missing tribal individuals hailed from the Rajouri district of the Jammu division. They were employed as laborers in Kulgam and were on their way to a relative’s residence when they disappeared.
While the bodies of Showkat Ahmad Bajad and Riyaz Ahmad Bajad were recovered, the third missing individual, Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, remains unaccounted for.
