Srinagar: Amid Shutdown call given by Itehad ul Muslimeen Widespread protests were held across the Kashmir Valley on Monday against the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of Bandipora district.protestors demanded stringent punishment for the accused, who has been arrested.
At several places, the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who had blocked the traffic movement to demand speedy trial of the case.
The train service was suspended on Monday for security reasons between the summer capital, Srinagar and Baramulla in north Kashmir, where massive protests were held against the rape of a 3-year-old girl in Bandipora. However, train service was normal in south Kashmir.
Background
On the evening of 8 May, a 3-year-old girl was raped allegedly by his neighbour after luring her to a nearby school. “The accused had raped her in the washroom of the school located at a walking distance from their respective houses,” locals said.
The protesters while demanding stern action against the accused, also sought immediate action against the school principal who had allegedly issued a certificate declaring the accused as a minor. Police have detained the school principal for questioning.
Protests erupted in many parts of Srinagar city, including Saida Kadal, Gaw Kadal, Almagari Bazar and Shalimar areas of srinagar city with that the traffic movement of public transport has been affected.
Similarly, the students of Kashmir University Students and faculty members of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora Monday held a peaceful protest demonstration against the rape of a three year old Bandipora girl.
Eyewitnesses said that scores of students, faculty members and administrative staff of the varsity assembled in the campus and held a peaceful sit in protest demanding justice for victim.
They denounced the heinous crime and demanded a stern punishment to the culprit.
Later, the students and staff resumed their normal class work.
Reports of clashes between government forces and protesters were recorded from all the districts of Kashmir where youth held a ding-dong battles with forces.
Sopore:Reports pouring from Sopore said that scores of protesters on Monday hit the streets in Sopore town of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district and staged a protest against the gruesome rape incident with a three year old girl in Malikpora Bandipora.
Reports reaching to this newspaper said scores of students of Govt Degree College Sopore, Boys Higher Secondary and Girls Higher Secondary assembled at Iqbal market of town and demanded exemplary punishment on fast track basis to the accused who allegedly raped the minor in Sumbal Bandipora. Police fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Reports also said that some minor Clashes erupted in Sultanpora village of Pattan of North kashmir Baramulla District over the rape of 3 year old girl. However later situations is normal in the area.
Pattan :Police on monday resorted to aerial firing to disperse youth over a dozen persons were injured, one of them critically, in violent protests in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday over the rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of Bandipora last week.
Reports said that massive protests erupted in Cheanbal area of Pattan Monday morning with youth clashing with the security forces.
They said that the forces resorting to tear gas shelling after the protesters pelted them with stones, resulting in injuries to over 10 youth.
One among them, identified as Arshid Ahmad Dar, was hit by a tear gas shell in his head following which he was rushed to Srinagar in critical condition.
Pulwama:Scores of female students from Government Women Degree College Pulwama in south Kashmir staged a protest rally on Monday demanding justice for the minor girl of Bandipora who was allegedly raped.
The protest rally was taken from college campus in Dangerpora to new colony Pulwama. The girl students were chanting slogans “Justice for the girl” and “hang the culprit”.The students later dispersed peacefully.
Ganderbal:The students of Central University Ganderbal here on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.
Witnesses told to this newspaper that students of Central University Ganderbal held a peaceful protest inside the university campus.
The protesting students raised slogans and demanded stern action against the accused.
While Shouting Slogans in favour of Victim, “Justice for victim”, “Hang the rapist”, Protesting students demanded capital punishment for accused who allegedly raped the minor in Sumbal on May 08.Meanwhile, students of degree College Ganderbal also held a protest demonstration against the rape of a minor girl.Reports said that scores of the students assembled inside the campus and staged a protest.
Bandipora:The residents of Shilvat village of Bandipora district took out a protest march in solidarity with the eight year old girl who was allegedly raped in Sumbal.
The protesters raised slogans in favour of the victim girl and were holding placards showing different messages calling for justice for her. The protesters blocked Sumbal -Srinagar road for hours together.
The protesters and the family of the victim were demanding death penalty for the accused.
All the educational institutions and internet services has remained closed on the 2nd consecutive Monday to thwart any untoward incident in the district.
Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday expressed deep shock and pain over the heinous incident of rape of a three-year-old girl from Bandipora district.
“On learning about the unfortunate incident, Governor immediately spoke to S.P. Pani, IGP Kashmir and took detailed review of the ongoing investigations into the case,”Raj Bhavan Spokesperson said.
Governor has directed the IGP to work swiftly in the case and ensure that the culprit gets exemplary punishment for this shameful act.
Malik has also talked to religious leaders of different communities and asked them to deplore this gruesome incident unanimously and make appeal to the people to remain calm and not let antisocial elements disturb peace and harmony in the society, the spokesperson said.
Governor has urged the parents, teachers and prominent citizens to take significant steps in imbuing children with morally sound and value based education so as to build a strong foundation for our society based on compassion and kindness, he said.
Bandipora rape incident being probed on war footing basis: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan on Monday stated that the investigations into the rape of minor in Bandipora district was being probed on war footing basis.
“We have instructions from Governor of J&K state to probe the case on war footing basis. We will ensure that Justice is given to the victim,” he told .
Divisional Commissioner further said the developments into the investigations of the case are being monitored by administration round the clock.
Government will ensure that action will be taken against the accuse in this case,” he said and appealed people to maintain peace and tranquility in state.
“Let people have faith in government functionary. Investigations will be completed in a time bound manner,” he said.
The joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising upon Syed Ali Shah Geelani condemned the rape incident of a minor girl in Sumbal Bandipora and termed it shocking, unfortunate, gruesome and inhuman act.
JRL in a statement stated that the incident has not only left the conscience of every Kashmiri badly shaken but brought every head down in shame.
