Jammu: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday issued a contradictory statement regarding allegations of harassment to the family members including sister of a slain militant from Pulwama, saying that “there has been no tearing up of the lady’s clothes or her being harassed by the police” and that he will “direct IG Police, Kashmir to look into this incident to see whether the lady has been harassed or her clothes have been torn as is being alleged.”
“It has been widely reported in media that 3 close relatives of a militant were allegedly arrested and harassed by the J&K Police. It has also been alleged that the clothes of lady, who was one of the persons arrested, were also torn,” reads a statement issued by the governor.
The governor made the remark a day after former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met a suspected militant’s sister, who was beaten up by police, and warned of “dangerous consequences” if harassment of militants’ families is not stopped.
“It is clarified that there are standing general and specific instructions that have been issued to all police officers and staff on not harassing families of militants. This is being followed meticulously in most circumstances. However, there could be a situation where a few relatives of a militant are questioned by police under due process of law so as to obtain details of a militant’s whereabouts. This is done very rarely and only on the basis of specific information,” the governor said.
He added: “In this particular incident, which relates to residents of Patipora in Pulwama district, it is clarified that none of the persons were questioned in Pulwama. They were questioned in Jammu district based on very specific intelligence inputs.
I have been informed that there has been no tearing up of a lady’s clothes or her being harassed by the police. I once again 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. Any questioning should be done as per normal practice only in the presence of a lady constable.”
The governor requested political parties to understand the “fragile security situation in parts of the state and not to upset this through motivated statements and false allegations. This will only demoralise a hard-working police force.”
He said he would also direct Inspector General of Police, Kashmir to “look into this incident to see whether the lady 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.”
