J-K Policeman Caught On Video Kicking Woman Protester In Kulgam Amid Protests Over Mystery Deaths

A video showed an officer allegedly kicking a female protester during Kulgam protests over local deaths. PDP leaders have criticised the incident and raised the deaths of the victims in the J-K Assembly.

Authorities have launched an inquiry after a video surfaced allegedly showing a police officer kicking a woman protester in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district. This took place amid protests over bodies found in Kulgam with demonstrators blocking the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in Kulgam on Sunday, demanding an investigation and action against those suspected to be responsible for the deaths.  

Another video showed police using batons to force protestors to vacate the spot. 

The protests in Kulgam erupted after the body of a youth, who was among three persons missing since last month, was found in a local water body. Three days earlier, his brother’s body was recovered from the same stream, news agency PTI reported. A search operation is still underway to trace the third missing person.  

The Kashmir Zone Police on Monday stated that they had taken cognisance of the incident, which occurred on Sunday, and the allegations regarding the officer’s conduct. “A video has surfaced on social media regarding a police officer’s conduct with the public in Kulgam. We have taken cognisance of the incident and the allegations regarding the officer’s conduct,” the police said in a post on X.  

It further informed that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of South Kashmir Range (SKR) has been tasked with investigating the matter and will submit a report within ten days.  

The incident drew strong criticism from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, who condemned the officer’s behaviour and demanded a probe. “Shocking & unbecoming for a policeman to kick a woman only because she was peacefully protesting against the mysterious deaths in Devsar Kulgam. It is this high-handed behaviour from officers expected to uphold law that creates a trust deficit, alienating people even further,” Mufti wrote on X.  

In another post on X, she claimed that the police prevented her from visiting Kulgam and locked the gates of her house. “Once again, the gates of our house have been locked up. Such is the highhandedness that they don’t even have the courtesy to inform us. I wanted to visit Kulgam where dead bodies of two young men, who disappeared mysteriously, were finally found. What are the authorities trying to hide here?” Iltija asked.

Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone called the police officer’s behaviour “utterly disdainful”. “Images of a police officer kicking the female relatives of two youths who died in Kulgam is utterly disdainful. The whole action reeks of contempt within the minds of those who are supposed to protect the masses. And this is not a rare occurrence. It is almost a daily occurrence. It is just that it escapes filming,” Lone said in an X post.

Protest Over Deaths of Missing Youths Reaches J-K Assembly

On Monday, PDP and National Conference (NC) members raised the issue of the two brothers’ deaths in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanding a high-level probe. The deceased, identified as Showkat Ahmad Bajad and Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, along with Mukhtar Ahmad, went missing on 13 February while travelling to a relative’s house in Ashmuji. The trio, all labourers, never reached their destination.  

PDP members, led by Wahid Para, voiced concerns over the deaths of the two tribal men, stating that they had instilled fear among the people. “Such incidents have created insecurity among the people. We are not accusing anyone, but there is a critical need for an impartial probe as one community feels targeted,” Para told reporters outside the assembly, as quoted by PTI.  

NC member Peerzada Feroze Ahmed also highlighted the growing number of missing persons cases, calling for an impartial investigation. “Similar incidents have been reported from Kathua,” he said.  

Amid the demands, some NC members entered the Well of the House, seeking a probe into the deaths and the alleged mistreatment of the woman protester. The commotion prompted Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to intervene. Acknowledging the concerns, he assured that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was present in the House, would address the issue. “The chief minister is sitting here. He has heard your issue. He will look into it. He will ensure action,” Rather said.