Minister visits suicide victim’s family, promises timely probe

Days after a 25-year-old man accused of involvement in militancy allegedly died by suicide after reportedly being tortured by the police in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister Javed Rana visited the deceased’s family to express condolences. He assured the kin that the government was pushing for a transparent and time-bound probe into the matter.

The death of Makhan Din, a resident of Billawar in Kathua and a member of the Gujjar community, this week led both the police and the administration to order separate investigations into the incident.

A purported video had gone viral on social media in which Makhan Din claimed to be innocent and denied any connections with terrorists.

Meanwhile, the police have denied the allegations of torture.

On Saturday, Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana visited Gurha Kalyal, Ramkot, to condole the family. Speaking to them, Rana assured that the UT government will ensure conduct of an impartial investigation and hold those responsible accountable, emphasising the necessity of protecting civilian safety and dignity.

The Minister also assured the bereaved family that the J&K Government will ensure justice and transparency in the probe with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah taking up the matter with the Union Government.

“The government is pushing for a transparent and time-bound probe into the circumstances surrounding the death as such incidents should not be tolerated,” the minister said.