Valley erupts over rape of 3-yr-old, massive protests

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 12

Massive protests swept the Kashmir valley today as people demanded death sentence for the youth accused of raping a three-year-old girl in north Kashmir’s Bandipora.

Protests were held in Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar and Budgam districts, prompting the authorities to shut mobile Internet services across north Kashmir.

The protesters blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway at several places, leading to massive traffic jams. The Valley has been witnessing protests ever since the child was allegedly raped by her neighbour in a school building in Shadipora, Sumbal, on May 8 evening.

 The suspect belongs to the same village.

Days after the incident, a birth certificate issued by the school went viral on the social media, showing the suspect to be a minor. This triggered outrage as people questioned the school’s authority to project the suspect as a minor when the case was under investigation. The police have detained the principal.

“We have formed a special investigation team,” said Bandipora SSP Rahul Malik.

In Srinagar, the authorities had to use force to enforce law and order. At Beerwah, Budgam, Pattan and Magam, vehicles were stranded as the protesters burnt tyres. Bandipora DC Shahbaz Mirza urged people to stay calm. 

Last month, a similar case was reported from Aragam village of the district. A man was arrested for allegedly raping his daughter over years.