The rape of a three year old girl in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district triggered massive clashes and protests in various parts of north and Central Kashmir with people demanding stern punishment to the guilty. Sensing trouble, the authorities snapped the internet in north Kashmir and also in parts of Central Kashmir as a precautionary measure.
Witnesses said that protests rocked Malik Mohalla, Tregam, Sumbal the native village of three-year-old victim, that later spilled over to Magam, Budgam Chowk and Khomeni Chowk area of Bemina.
Protestors later resorted to clashes with police who retaliated to aerial firing of tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.
Six people sustained minor injuries in clashes, reports said. Meanwhile, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq strongly condemned the rape or a three-year old girl urged people of all sects to maintain claim and to introspect.
“Appeal all to maintain calm and introspect while demanding stern punishment and speedy justice for the victim,” Mirwaiz wrote on his twitter page. “Deeply disturbed by the shocking heinous crime committed on a 3-year-old child in Sumbal.
Such repeated incidents raise a serious question mark on how much of our moral and religious values have been imbibed within us and are reflected in our collective behaviour as a society.”
Meanwhile, MMU in a detailed statement issued here strongly condemned the gruesome and brutal rape of a three-year-old girl in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and demanded an exemplary punishment to the guilty involved in the crime.
In a statement issued here, the MMU, an amalgam of all the religious bodies including Shia, Suni, Barelvi’s, Ahlihadith and others, in unison termed the rape of three-year-old minor as very unfortunate and shocking stated that the act has once again shown that in which direction Kashmir, that was once a religious society, is heading. The MMU said that the incident has not only left the conscience of every Kashmiri badly shaken but brought every head down in shame.
The MMU said that today’s incident is second of its kind in north Kashmir in the past one month stating that such incidents are taking place because of the fact that many people in Kashmir, have forgotten the path and teachings shown by the great sufi saints who put their blood and sweat to spread Islam in its true form. The MMU said that incident calls for a major introspection.
The MMU urged people across all sections to maintain unity on all fronts. It also strongly condemned the use of force on the peaceful protestors who were protesting against the shameful act.
While referring to the extraordinary meeting of MMU held on May 4 at Mirwaiz Manzil in presence of all the Ulema, religious scholars, Imams and Khateebs special emphasis was laid that the ensuing fasting month be utilized to focus on women’s issues as well as curbing moral degradation in the society besides a strong campaign to be launched to counter the waywardness and growing evils.
The MMU also urges civil society to extend their support in launching a strong campaign for weeding out the social evils. (KNO)