Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched an internal probe after a video surfaced showing a policeman allegedly kicking a woman protester during demonstra-tions over the mysterious deaths of two missing men in Kulgam.
DIG South Kashmir, Javaid Iqbal Matoo, met protesters who had blocked the national highway in Qazigund on Monday. Addressing the demonstrators.
“It is unfortunate if anyone has acted wrongly with the people. A mother who has lost her son has every right to protest. Anyone found guilty of misconduct will face action as per the law. The mobile phones of protesters will be returned, and a thorough probe is underway into the deaths. The circumstances surrounding their death will be shared,” DIG Matoo said.
The police have assured that a high-level inquiry is underway, with a report expected within 10 days.
A police spokesman in a post on X said that a video has surfaced on social media re-garding a police officer’s conduct with the public in Kulgam. We have taken cognisance of yesterday’s incident and the allegations regarding the officer’s conduct. DIG SKR will enquire and submit his findings within 10 days,” the spokesman said.
Three tribal youth from Devsar, Kulgam, went missing last month under mysterious circumstances. Last Thursday, police recovered the body of one man from the Vaishaw stream, and on Sunday, another body was found. The third person remains missing, and families have alleged murder, leading to widespread protests in the area.
On Sunday, mourners protested and demanded that an inquiry be conducted. The woman protester was allegedly kicked during this protest. The video of the incident, which quickly went viral, drew sharp criticism from political leaders and the public.