Students protesting against the inhuman and brutal act in central Kashmir’s Budgam area.social media
People’s anger erupted in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir against the gruesome murder and alleged rape of a minor girl in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Cutting across party lines, all political, religious, and social organisations have strongly condemned this heinous act and demanded action against the culprits involved in committing this inhuman crime. According to reports, the victim is the daughter of a police officer.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had returned to Jammu and Kashmir after 12 days, strongly condemned the brutal murder of a young preteen girl in Budgam district, describing the incident as “shocking and deeply distressing”.
Expressing profound grief over the tragedy, the Chief Minister condemned the heinous act in the strongest possible terms and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.
“May she find a place in Jannat,” the Chief Minister said while expressing solidarity with the grieving family.
The Chief Minister said the incident should serve as a moment of serious introspection for society at large. “While the appropriate agencies enquire into the circumstances of her murder, it’s also fitting that we reflect on where we as a society are headed when our young children are not safe,” he said.
“I condemn this brutal attack without reservation or condition and send my sympathies to her family,” he added.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to justice, the Chief Minister assured that all necessary support would be extended to the investigating agencies to ensure that those found guilty are given exemplary punishment in accordance with the law.
A minor girl, who had gone missing since Saturday, was found dead in a nearby field in Galwanpora village of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Sunday morning. The recovery of her body triggered shock and grief across the area.
Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and further investigation is underway.
On Monday PDP leader Iltija Mufti visited Galwanpora and joined grieving residents demanding swift justice in the death of a minor girl whose case police say prima facie appears to be one of rape and murder.
Hundreds of women and local residents gathered in the area amid emotional scenes, with protesters demanding immediate arrest and strict punishment for those responsible.
Addressing protesters and family members, Iltija Mufti strongly condemned the incident and urged police to mobilise all available resources to identify and arrest the perpetrator.
“Hang the beast who raped and murdered an innocent girl. That beast is roaming among us and police need to put all resources into motion, retrieve CCTV footage and nab the beast, jail and hang him,” she said while addressing the gathering.
The PDP leader said the incident had shaken public confidence and highlighted growing concerns over safety. She said this little girl was even beaten up and her nose was fractured.
Earlier in the day, schoolchildren and classmates of the victim staged protests and called for the immediate arrest of the accused and exemplary punishment.
The murder of the minor girl has triggered widespread anger across Kashmir since her body was recovered near her residence after she had gone missing.
Five-member SIT constituted
Police have constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Budgam Sajad Ahmad to investigate the case. SSP Budgam K.K. Hari Prasad said all angles were being examined and that prima facie the incident appeared to be a case of rape and murder. Relevant legal sections have been added to the FIR, police said.
Authorities have urged the public and media not to reveal the identity or photographs of the minor victim, saying an investigation into the case is underway.
Police said the death of a 12-year-old girl from Galwanpora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district is prima facie a case of rape and murder, assuring that all resources are being deployed to crack the case at the earliest.
SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K said that Budgam Police Station received information regarding the missing of the minor girl at around 10:00 PM on May 23.
He said that police registered an FIR under relevant sections pertaining to the kidnapping of a minor child and launched extensive searches throughout the night.
“This morning at around 7:15 AM, the girl’s body was recovered from a spot nearly 200 metres away from her home,” SSP Budgam said, adding that all medico-legal formalities were subsequently completed.
“At this stage, prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder, and all relevant sections of law have been added,” he said.
The SSP said that the investigation is presently in its preliminary stage and police are carrying out extensive searches in and around the area where the body was found.
He said tracker dogs have been deployed within nearly a one-kilometre radius of the recovery spot, while CCTV footage from nearby areas is also being examined.
“Local suspects are being questioned, and evidence seizure and verification processes are going on continuously and simultaneously,” he added.
Mirwaiz, Mehbooba condemn murder of minor girl
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have strongly condemned the horrific incident.
“Heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl in Budgam, who went missing while on her way to the Darsgah. The circumstances surrounding this incident are extremely painful and have shaken the conscience of every human being. Mirwaiz said.
“What are we becoming as a society if our children cannot even feel safe on their way to seek education and guidance? Such incidents spread fear, grief, and deep anxiety among people and demand serious introspection at every level”, he said, demanding, “A thorough, transparent, and time-bound investigation must be carried out, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice and given the strictest punishment under law.”
“Devastated to hear about the cold-blooded murder of a 12-year-old girl in Budgam. The allegations of rape just make it all the more shocking, disconcerting & unsettling. One shudders at the thought if our children being really safe”, Mehbooba Mufti posted on her social media handle.
Comments are closed.