Srinagar, July 21: A young Kashmir woman has accused two Indian army soldiers of “abduction and rape”. Police have registered a case while MoS Home of the Kashmir government Nasir Aslam Wani has assured that guilty persons will be punished.
Police sources said a young woman Rukaya Banoo, wife of Mohammad Latief Bhat resident of Gujjardhar Manzgam, presently at Bhek-Chiranbal in Kulgam district, some 100 kms south of Srinagar, alleged that she was abducted by some Indian army soldiers on July 19 and gang-raped.
She said that she was released last night by the army men.
The woman, according to her family members, left her residence on early Tuesday morning for ablution. “However, she did not return. After three days, the woman returned and alleged that she was abducted and gang raped by army men,” they said.
Police have registered a case and started investigations.
A top police officer said the woman recorded her statement before police and alleged that she was raped by two Army men. “We have recorded her statement and her medical examination will be conducted,” he said.
He said the case of rape and abduction has been filed and investigations taken up.
Meanwhile, tension gripped the area as people came out on roads and held protest demonstrations. Chanting anti-army and pro-freedom slogans, the protestors were demanding stern action against the erring army men. “The guilty army men should be identified and punished so that such acts don’t recur in future,” they said.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Nasir Aslam Wani said that he met the woman and recorded her allegations. “We have directed police to file an FIR and take up investigations. We have directed police to thoroughly investigate the matter. Whosoever is found guilty will be punished,” he said.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued in the evening said, “At about 1 pm, Rukaya accompanied by her brother in law reported that on July 19 (Tuesday), at about 7 in the evening, when she was returning from a nearby spring to her home, two persons in security force uniform appeared in her way. Both were carrying weapons and forced her to accompany them to the Jungle. The duo kept her in a dhok and raped her. They were talking to her in Gojri and left her this morning. She reached her home and informed her brother in law-Shah Wali Bhat about the whole incident”.
“A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the matter,” he said.
