Kashmiri family accuses army of ‘assault’ during raid

NEW DELHI, 29 Sep 2021 [Fik/News Sources]: A family in Seer Jageer area of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, on Tuesday, alleged that they were assaulted by the army on Monday evening.

The family alleged that their daughter Ishrat Jan was dragged while her clothes were torn before she fell unconscious and was later taken to hospital, reported a local news agency KNO.

According to the report, Ishrat alleged that the army dragged her out of the house and tried to take her away in their vehicle.

“I raised a hue and cry after which villagers came out and saved me,” she was quoted as saying by KNO.

“Army has been raiding our house frequently due to which we are feeling disturbed and insecure,” she said.

Ishrat’s mother said that one of her sons was already languishing in jail for the last three months. She said that two of her sons are being “assaulted” now.

The family called for an end to such “atrocities”, while talking to the media.

Earlier, former J&K chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted in favour of the family and said, “Army from Yagwani camp in Tral ransacked homes & ruthlessly thrashed a family last night.The daughter owing to her serious injuries was admitted to hospital. Not the first time that civilians from this village have been beaten up by the army in this area (sic).”

Meanwhile, the Police and the army have denied these allegations and said that no manhandling was carried out by the army at Seer on Monday.

SSP Awantipora Mohammed Yousuf while talking to KNO said, “Basically, they have links with militancy. One of their sons is already in jail after he was arrested in a militancy-related case,” he said, adding that all the claims made by the girl are baseless.