J&K News: Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor Hindu Girl by Muslim Youth in Kishtwar Sparks Outrage, Magistrate Orders Probe
A disturbing incident has emerged from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, where a Muslim youth has been accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old Hindu girl. In response to the allegations and the subsequent public outcry, the Kishtwar district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
The decision for an official probe came after local residents staged protests, accusing the police of misconduct in handling the situation. According to Kishtwar's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Abdul Qayoom, an FIR has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, and two suspects have been taken into custody.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mohammad Ashraf confirmed that Marwah Station House Officer (SHO) Zaheer Iqbal, who ordered a baton charge against the protesters, has been attached to the district police line. Protesters have accused the SHO of shielding the accused and his family.
Outrage in Marwah, Jammu and Kashmir: Hindu minor girl harassed by fanatics, police response sparks protest
— सत्य_अन्वेषी🇮🇳 (@iAK1707) August 21, 2024
A shocking incident has come to light from Jammu and Kashmir's Marwah, where a schoolgirl was harassed by a group of fanatics. The brutal response of the police when he… pic.twitter.com/KcmTcmeh91
Tensions Escalate in the Village
The situation in the village intensified when angered villagers vandalized the house of the accused following the alleged sexual assault. The accused and his family reportedly fled the village but attempted to return on Monday, leading to another outbreak of violence as villagers tried to attack them. SDM Ashraf visited the village in an effort to calm the situation.
Appeal for Peace
Referring to some videos circulating on social media, the SDM mentioned that during the protest, a group of 20-30 women was stopped and pacified, but one girl was injured during the resistance. He added that the District Magistrate of Kishtwar is reviewing the matter, and the authenticity of the video clips is being verified. The SDM appealed for peace and warned that anyone found attempting to exploit the situation to incite violence would face strict legal action.
Sanatan Dharma Sabha Condemns the Incident
The Sanatan Dharma Sabha of Dachhan strongly condemned the incident and submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate and SSP, demanding enhanced security for the minority Hindu community in Hanzal and Changer areas. They also requested alternative arrangements to ensure that girls do not have to travel long distances through forested areas to reach their schools.
