Curfew Continues in Handwara, CM Mufti Assures Civilian Safety

Post the clash between Kashmiri locals and the army in Handwara, police detained the alleged victim and her father.

People pelt stones on an army vehicle a day after two people were killed in army firing in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir on 13 April 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Handwara Alleged Molestation Victim and Father in Police Custody

The 16-year-old Kashmiri girl, who has been at the centre of the massive upheaval in Kashmir following allegations of molestation against the Indian army, was detained by police, reports The Hindu. A human rights body called J&K coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) claims:

...the girl has been kept in police custody from 12 April to date. Last night (14 April), around 1 am, the father of the victim was called to the Handwara police station. He was accompanied by his brother. Since then his whereabouts are not known. The family has been denied access to both the minor girl and her father.

JKCCS Spokesperson

According to JKCSS, the detention is an attempt to pressurise the victim’s family into withdrawing the allegations.

Strict Restrictions Imposed, Mobile Interner Services Remain Suspended

Curfew-like restrictions continued for the third day in parts of Kashmir following the incidents on Tuesday. The city centre Lal Chowk has also been kept out of bounds as concertina wires have been put at many places to block the roads, he said, adding security forces have been deployed in strength in other areas to maintain law and order.

As of Thursday, mobile internet services across Kashmir continued to remain suspended for the second day to curb rumour mongering.

Even though there is no strike call by any separatist group, people observed spontaneous shutdown in most district headquarters of the Valley, the official said. He said markets remained closed while most of the public transport was off the roads.

Journalists Denied Entry in the Region

Greater Kashmir reports that a three-membered team of journalists was denied entry into Handwara on Thursday.

We were told by the cops that they have strict orders not to allow journalists inside the curfew-bound town. Even top officials of police denied us entry.

Senior Correspondent, Greater Kashmir

Entry points are being manned by police and paramilitary forces equipped with riot gear. All entry points of the town are garrisoned, preventing entry for civilians.

Although the situation in most of the Valley has been peaceful so far, isolated cases of stone-pelting have been reported from some parts including south Kashmir’s Kulgam town, he said. A cab driver was injured in a stone-pelting incident in Kulgam, the official said, as of Thursday according to PTI.

Report Says the Young Cricketer Had Stopped Only for a Picture

Nayeem Bhat, one of the first two casualties of the protests, was a 19-year-old budding cricketer who happened to get stuck in the cross-fire, reports NDTV.

He was passing by the area where a mob of angry protesters was pelting stones at an army post. The report suggests Nayeem attempted to click a picture of the unrest on his mobile phone. In the process, the young cricketer sustained injuries and eventually succumbed to them.

Army Calls the Incident ‘Highly Regrettable’, Mufti Assures Civilian Safety

Commander Lt General DS Hooda visited Handwara on Wednesday, reports The Indian Express. Since the army launched an inquiry on Tuesday, a junior officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rafiq Ahmad has been suspended.

The General Officer Commanding in Chief of Army’s Northern Command called the incident “highly regrettable”.

Defence spokesman Lt Colonel NN Joshi said in Srinagar:

The Army has offered to take care of the expenses for hospital care and subsequent rehabilitation of those injured in the incident.

Lt Colonel NN Joshi

Additionally, Firstpost reports that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has ordered the state police on Thursday to make sure no civilians get hurt in the wake of the turmoil.