Saturday, December 6, 2008

Kokernag: 36 RR troops accused of raping a minor girl

Rising Kashmir Dec 7, 2008


Rape of minor girl

Bar to file writ petition against army

Rising Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 06: Kashmir High Court Bar Association Saturday said it would file a writ petition in the High Court against 36 Rashtriya Rifles, army’s anti-insurgency wing, against the alleged rape of a minor girl of Kokernag by its troops.
Condemning the incident, the Bar termed it a shameful act by troops and rejected the magisterial inquiry announced by civilian administration.
A judicial probe should be held under some sitting judge of the higher judiciary, a spokesman of the Bar said.
Keeping the gravity of the incident in view, the Bar will file a writ petition against the culprits in the court, the spokesman said.
“The accused army men should have been arrested and action initiated against them. But nothing like that happened and the guilty troopers are enjoying a free life,” he said.
The army men and the administration are threatening the victims and the villagers, a statement of the Bar Association said.
“They are being pressurized to retract from their statements. Tehsildar Kokerang is acting under pressure. The magisterial inquiry is influenced by army and top civilian officials,” he alleged.
The Bar is concerned over the deployment of troops in the area who are allegedly involved in rape and molestation of women in the area, the spokesman said.
He said the village heads are being threatened of serious consequences by troops if the voter turnout is low.