Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday assured that a high-level investigation will be launched into the alleged torture of the relatives of a suspected terrorist in the valley and said action will be taken against any of the police staff found guilty. Malik’s statement came a day after former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the sister of a suspected terrorist and her husband, who were allegedly beaten up by the police, and asserted that she "won't allow bloodshed in south Kashmir and it won't be made a battleground". She also warned the police against a repeat of the incident.
"This is unacceptable. If you want to fight terrorists, fight them. Don't harass their families… The woman was ill-treated, her clothes were removed " Mehbooba said after meeting Rubina at her home in Pulwama on Sunday.
"I want to ask the governor if you have a fight with a militant, why are his relatives, especially his sister, beaten? We will not allow this. I want to tell the governor and warn the police as well that if there is another such incident, then there will be dangerous consequences," she had said.
Also Read | Video | Mehbooba Mufti warns police after meeting terrorist's sister, says won't allow bloodshed in J-K
Responding to a question about the issue raised by the former chief minister, the governor said: "She will address me because I am the governor of the state. I am not taking her words in a bad taste because she is the daughter of my friend (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed). And the elections are coming so they will talk like this because of their compulsions...”
Talking to reporters, Malik: “I have been informed that there has been no tearing up of a lady’s clothes or her being harassed by police. I reiterate that all police officers and staff will be directed not to harass ladies who happen to be relatives of militants or treat them in any unbecoming manner.”
Malik added that he would also direct the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, to look into this incident to see whether the woman has been harassed or her clothes have been torn as is being alleged. “If necessary, action will be taken against any police staff found acting wrongly.”
On December 20, after completion of six months of Governor's rule, the state came under President's rule from midnight paving the way for the Union cabinet to take all policy decisions related to the militancy-hit state.
On November 21, Governor Malik dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the PDP, supported by the Congress and their arch rivals National Conference, had staked claim to form the government.
Simultaneously, the two-member People's Conference led by Sajjad Lone had also staked claim to form a government with 25 members of the BJP and other 18 unknown members. The governor had dissolved the assembly citing horse-trading and lack of stability to form a government as the reasons.
(With agency inputs)
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