Handwara Girl Reiterates She Was Attacked by Local Youth, Not Army

The minor girl from Handwara has accepted in a statement that it was not an army man who misbehaved with her.

People pelt stones on an army vehicle following the alleged molestation of a girl in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir, 13 April 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag visited Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the situation arising out of the shooting in Kupwara with local commanders. The shooting left five protesters dead and several others injured.

The girl, whose alleged molestation sparked the protests, has since been in police custody with her father and aunt. On Sunday, she reiterated that she did not see a soldier and that it was two local youth who harassed and even slapped her as she was leaving a lavatory.

The school girl recorded her statement before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Handwara in which she stood by her earlier statement that she was not molested by any Army soldier. A statement issued by police on Sunday said that the girl (name withheld) was produced before the CJM (Handwara) and her statement was registered at the local police station under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty) of the State’s Ranbir Penal Code.

Report in <i><a href="http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170416/handwara-girl-reiterates-she-was-attacked-by-local-youth-not-army-jawan.html">Deccan Chronicle</a></i>

Mobile Internet Services Restored in Kashmir Valley

Mobile internet services, which were suspended in the Kashmir Valley in the wake of protests against the Indian army, have been restored.

While government offices and educational institutions remained shut on Sunday, shops, fuel stations and other business establishments opened after four days in this capital city and across some other districts, an official said, adding that public transport was back on roads.

(With inputs from PTI)