Aatif Qayoom
Kupwara, May 19: Police have launched an investigation into an alleged religious conversion case reported from Kupwara district of north Kashmir after claims surfaced regarding a minor boy from Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh.
According to reports, the 17 year old boy Vishal had gone to Kupwara to learn salon work. The family alleged that they later came across a social media video in which the boy claimed to have accepted Islam. Following the development, the family approached police and accused certain persons of influencing or forcibly converting him.
Taking cognizance of the matter, police in Kupwara registered an FIR under relevant sections of law and started an investigation.
“A case relating to alleged religious conversion has been reported in Kupwara. Cognizance of the matter has been taken and an FIR under relevant sections of law has been registered. Investigation has been set into motion,” police said in a statement.
Officials said police are examining all aspects of the case, including the circumstances under which the boy reached Kupwara and the authenticity of the claims being circulated on social media.
Reports said a separate case has also been registered by Uttar Pradesh Police in Bijnor after the boy’s family lodged a complaint.
Meanwhile, the family alleged that the boy was taken to Kashmir by a youth on the pretext of providing salon training and employment opportunities. Some reports claimed the boy later adopted a different name after conversion, though there has been no official confirmation regarding this.
The local family denied the allegations. The family claimed he was being falsely implicated and rejected reports of any forced conversion.
The incident has sparked reactions on social media and attracted political attention, with demands being raised for a fair and transparent investigation.
Police urged the public not to spread rumours or circulate unverified information regarding the case.
“People are requested not to pay heed to rumours or circulate unverified information,” the statement added.
Officials said further details will be shared after progress in the investigation.