Kulgam: In yet another example of political hooliganism here, a Sarpanch was allegedly beaten by National Conference District President, inside the police station in presence of Station House Officer, where he had come to reconcile families at odds over alleged molestation of two siblings by NC activist’s sons.
It is alleged the ruling party activist’s sons sexually molested two siblings when they were returning from school.
Kulgam police disproved the allegation of molestation and said that the accused and the girls were quarreling over some unknown dispute that later involved their families, of which police took cognizance.
Meanwhile, hundreds of CPI (M)-backed Panches and Sarpanches held protest demonstrations demanding registration of FIR against the National Conference District President and the accused boys.
It is reported that siblings (names withheld) were allegedly molested by two sons of NC activist, Mohd Yousf, identified as Umar Ahmad and Irfan Ahmad, inside their cowshed when they were returning from a nearby school.
Sources say, a girl studying in 9th standard, yelled out for help, taking note of which people of Banimula village gathered and rescued them.
Following the incident, victims’ family approached police station Devsar to file a written complaint, where police refused and instead of registering an FIR, booked the family and put them behind bars.
Mohd Afzal, leading the protest rally of Panches and Sarpanches against police informed, “Sarpanch Gulam Mohmmad Ganie who arrived in police station for reconciliation was shocked to see the victims’ family behind bars, on interference, he was allegedly beaten by National Conference District President Safdar Ali Khan and his son Ansar Ahmad Khan in presence of Station House Officer.”
Scores of Panches and Sarpanches seen shouting anti-police slogans alleged that Kulgam police is working on the guidelines provided to them by ruling party activists. They were of the opinion that on the one side government of Jammu and Kashmir is claiming to have put things in place to secure women from sexual violence but amazingly on the other side police is overlooking cases of molestation and rapes.
The Panches and Sarpanches have threatened of mass resignation if police doesn’t book the NC district president.
“Instead of lodging FIR against the two sons of National Conference activist, they (Police) booked victims’ family and NC district president thrashed sapanch that too inside the police station.” Gulam Rasool said.
“We are demanding registration of FIR against the two accused who molested girls and National district president who beat the Sarpnch.” He added.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Qazigund when contacted said, “This is not a case of molestation, it is simply a dispute among two families, of which we took notice.” He added that “the Sarpanch’s case is separate; police has taken cognizance of it and has registered a case against the NC leader who beat the Sarpanch.”
National Conference District President, Safdar Ali Khan clearing his stance said, “I was there in police station after my worker Mohd Yousf told me for reconciliation. I left the station when they started quarrelling, so how can I beat the Sarpanch.”
Meanwhile, district spokesman of CPIM has urged the government to order a magisterial inquiry into the incident and book the culprits as per law.
Saahil Suhail is reporter with Early Times Jammu and contributes to Times Now, Mirror Now and All India Radio. He is lives in Anantnag, J&K and can be reached out on [email protected] or +91 94190 48086
