Mehbooba meets Pulwama militant’s sister ‘harassed’ by J&K police
MEHBOOBA MUFTI SAID THE WOMAN WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE SHE IS A MILITANT’S SISTER AND WAS KEPT IN POLICE CUSTODY
FOR THREE DAYS
SRINAGAR: After meeting a suspected militant’s sister, who was allegedly beaten up by Jammu and Kashmir police, former chief minister (CM) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday warned of ‘dangerous consequences’ if harassment of militants’ family did not stop.
Mehbooba Mufti along with some party leaders visited Pettipora and Lassipora villages in Pulwama and interacted with the villagers, especially women. This visit comes a day after four militants, three locals and one foreigner, were killed in the same district.
The PDP chief visited the house of a Rubina who was recently arrested by police in Jammu and was released after a few days’ detention.
Her brother is reportedly an active militant operating in south Kashmir. Locals said that Mehbooba spent around 30 minutes at Rubina’s house where many villagers had gathered.
Former CM said Rubina’s arrest around five days ago was owing to her being a militant’s sister.
She said that when she was in power, she had told police officials to never harass family members of militants. “I have not changed my stance. While dealing with militants, we shouldn’t harass their families especially women or sisters. How can we do that! A family will never ask any youth to pick up the gun.’’
Adding that such incidents will not be tolerated, she said, “The woman is now bedridden after being severely beaten in police custody in Jammu. She told me there were no female police constables when she was arrested. She was mistreated by male constables and her husband and brother were also severely thrashed while in custody.’’ “The family demanded protection as they were scared after the incident. I travelled to Pulwama only to meet the family as they had come to my house seeking help,’’ she said.
Jammu inspector general of police MK Sinha, however, said the woman (Rubina) was not detained by the police.
“The police had received a very specific input which led to the arrest of two persons who were brought to Trikuta Nagar police station. When the raid was conducted, a lady constable was present. The woman (Rubina) was not detained. She came (to the police station) because her relatives were arrested,” he said.