Kulgam protest sparks fiery debate in J&K Assembly over police action

Jammu, Mar 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday erupted in uproar over the alleged police assault on protesters, who took to streets following the death of two tribal youths in Kulgam district, South Kashmir.
The issue was raised in the assembly as soon as question hour began. Surankote MLA Choudhary Mu-hammad Akram raised the issue of police action against the protesters in Kulgam and demanded strict action against police personnel accused of assaulting a woman who was protesting against the deaths.
“It is deeply concerning that a police officer kicked a woman. The house must condemn this act,” Akram said.
This triggered a flurry of action, with MLAs from the ruling NC-Congress coalition and the op-position PDP standing up in unison, calling for action against the responsible police officer.
Amid the commotion, NC MLAs Javed Choudhary, Mian Mehar Ali, Javaid Mirchal, and Zaffar Ali Khatana rushed to the well of the House but were stopped by marshals from advancing fur-ther.
NC’s Nazir Gurezi questioned, “Is this a police state? Can the police shoot and arrest anyone? Is there no law for the police?”
As protests continued to escalate in the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather assured the law-makers that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would address the issue. “The Chief Minister is in the House, listening to your concerns. He will address the matter,” he said.
Pertinent to mention, a video allegedly showing a police officer kicking a female protester in Kulgam has gone viral on social media. The protesters were demanding a judicial probe into the mysterious deaths of two tribal youths, who, along with a relative, went missing from their home last month.
Meanwhile, National Conference Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Me-hdi also condemned the act of the police.
“The tragic deaths have left the victims’ families in unbearable grief, yet instead of showing compassion, they are met with brutality. The visuals of a police officer kicking women, seeking justice, is disgraceful and inhumane,” Mehdi said, and demanded a thorough investigation into the mysterious deaths and also alleged police misconduct.
The bodies of two tribal youths, who went missing February 13, were found in Kulgam, triggering protests in the area. The families are alleging that they were tortured to death and are seeking a judicial probe to book the culprits.
The three missing tribals belonged to the Rajouri district of the Jammu division and were working as labourers in Kulgam district.