Srinagar: Several prominent leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for action against Army personnel accused of torturing civilians in custody in Kishtwar district on Wednesday.
Omar Abdullah urged the Army to conduct a transparent investigation and take strict action. “If evidence is found, the responsible personnel should be court-martialed and punished,” he said.
Residents of Kishtwar alleged that the Army detained youths from a village and tortured at least five of them, as reported by The Hindu. While tracking militant movements in the area, the Army ordered an inquiry and assured necessary follow-up action.
Mehbooba Mufti compared the incident to earlier allegations of torture in Bafliaz Surankote, stating that four persons from Kuath village were called for questioning and subjected to extreme torture, leaving them severely injured. She urged the UT government to act swiftly to ensure accountability and prevent further violations.
During a Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the incident, highlighting photos of the victims’ injuries as evidence of ongoing human rights abuses. He emphasised the lack of accountability in such cases and expressed hope for justice through the inquiry.
