Kupwara (Kashmir), Apr 16: The schoolgirl from Handwara - whose alleged molestation by a security personnel had triggered protests across the Kashmir Valley - and her father has been illegally detained by the police, her mother has said. She also told a news channel that the girl's statement to the police, pointing to misbehavior by a local boy, was given under pressure.
After Tuesday's protests by locals -- who alleged that the girl had been molested by a security personnel -- the army had released a video of the girl's statement to the police. The statement didn't mention anything about molestation, instead, it pointed at misbehaviour by a local boy.
"She is under pressure from the police. She is a young girl, just 16 years old," the mother told the channel. "She gave the statement under pressure... she has been in custody for 5 days. We are not allowed to meet her." The police have said the girl and the father are in preventive custody.
Earlier today, the girl's mother had not been allowed by the police to hold a press conference.
Since the incident on Tuesday, five persons have died in the protests that are spreading across Kashmir. On Tuesday, three persons, including a young cricketer and an old woman had died in Handwara. In Kupwara, where a boy died and seven people were injured yesterday as security forces opened fire on a crowd of stone-pelting protesters.
So far, 60 people, including 40 securitymen, have been injured in clashes. Violence also spread to other areas of the Valley, including Baramulla town and other parts of central and north Kashmir.
As fresh clashes broke out at Ganderbal this afternoon, the Centre sent 3,600 additional paramilitary forces and asked the state government to ensure that there is no further loss of lives. Mobile internet services have been suspended in Kashmir to check the spread of rumours.
Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti is expected to visit Kupwara later this afternoon, where curfew is still in place. The ruling PDP has appealed for calm. "Forces should exercise restraint. Killings are unacceptable. We will ensure guilty are punished and justice is delivered."
Comments
Harish ask your Modi and Amit to take action against those who forced pandits to leave Kashmir. if they don't have courage than ask them to return gujarath and start tea stall. Don't repeat your ajjikate always.
Hareesh, now Modi is the PM and he can resettle all the Pandits in Kashmir... No one is stopping him.... But the reality is quite different...... BJP wants to use this Ajji khata for another 10 years for vote bank politics... Molestation by army is not a new thing... During the liberation of Bangla desh this kind act of indian military was rampant.......
Its a shame on our Army personnel .....who make entire ARMY under scanner...and those officers who killed Kashmiri civivilians for their Ranks and promotions......this will not end .....people will die Govt will change......but one day victory will be with CIVILIANS
Add new comment