Valley erupts over 3-year-old’s rape

Protesters block national highway, authorities urge calm

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 12

Massive protests swept the Valley today as people demanded death sentence for the youth accused of raping a three-year-old girl in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Protests were held in Baramulla, Banadipora, Srinagar and Budgam districts, prompting the authorities to shut mobile Internet across north Kashmir.

The protesters blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway at several places, leading to massive traffic jams.

The Valley has been witnessing protests ever since the child was allegedly raped by his neighbour in a school building in Shadipora, Sumbal, on May 8 evening. The suspect belongs to the same village.

Days after the incident, a birth certificate issued by the school went viral on the social media showing the suspect to be a minor. This triggered an outrage as people questioned the school’s authority to portray the suspect as a minor when the case was under investigation. The police have detained the school principal, who had issued the certificate.

“We have formed a special investigation team and are investigating the case,” said Bandipora SSP Rahul Malik.

In Srinagar, the authorities had to use force to enforce law and order today. At Beerwah, Budgam, Pattan and Magam, vehicles were stranded on the highway as the protesters blocked traffic by burning tyres.

Bandipora DC Shahbaz Mirza urged people to stay calm. “The crime is under investigation. We will bring the perpetrator to justice. We urge public not heed to rumours,” he said.

Last month, a similar case was reported from Aragam village of the district. A was arrested for allegedly raping his daughter over years. The girl died in a hospital after consuming a poisonous substance.

In September last year, an eight-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by her stepbrother and three friends on the directions of stepmother in North Kashmir’s Uri. The girl was killed with a sharp object and her body buried in the forest.