Cops to probe assault on woman protester
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday ordered an inquiry following widespread outrage over a police officer’s actions during a protest in South Kashmir’s Kulgam. The protest was staged by the families of two men who died under mysterious circumstances.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer kicking a woman during the demonstration on the national highway on Sunday.
On February 13, three young men from the Gujjar community, who worked as labourers, went missing after leaving Ashmuji, Kulgam, to attend a function. They were identified as Riyaz Ahmad, Showkat Ahmad and Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, all residents of Kulgam.
So far, authorities have recovered the bodies of two of them from the Veshow Nallah in Kulgam. Their families, suspecting foul play, are demanding a thorough investigation. The search for the third missing person is still ongoing.
In response to the viral video, Kashmir Police issued a statement on X:
“We have taken cognizance of yesterday's incident and the allegations against the officer. The DIG of South Kashmir Range (SKR) will conduct an inquiry and submit his findings within 10 days.”
The incident sparked debate in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, where legislators raised concerns over police action. National Conference (NC) legislators as well as Opposition MLAs strongly condemned the incident and demanded an investigation, even attempting to move toward the well of the House in protest.
NC MLA from Gurez questioned whether J&K had become a police state and whether law enforcement officers were above the law.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened, assuring the legislators that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was present in the House, had heard their concerns and would take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, political leaders have also condemned the police’s conduct.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti described the incident as “shocking” and “unbecoming” of a police officer. “It is unacceptable for a policeman to kick a woman simply because she was peacefully protesting against the mysterious deaths in Devsar, Kulgam,” she said.
“This kind of high-handed behavior from those expected to uphold the law only deepens the trust deficit and further alienates people. I urge the J&K Police to investigate this matter immediately,” she said.
On Monday, Iltija also claimed that she was prevented from visiting Kulgam.
“Once again, the gates of our house have been locked without even the courtesy of informing us,” she said. “I wanted to visit Kulgam, where the bodies of two young men who mysteriously disappeared were found. What are the authorities trying to hide?”
Srinagar MP and NC leader Aga Ruhullah called the incident “disgraceful and inhumane.”
“No grieving family should have to plead for justice, let alone be assaulted for demanding it,” he said, adding that the “rising number of human rights violations in Kashmir is deeply concerning.”
People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone also condemned the police’s actions, calling them “utterly disdainful.”
“This incident reflects the contempt some officials hold for the very people they are meant to protect. Unfortunately, such actions are not rare—they occur almost daily but often go unrecorded,” he said.
