Outrage In J&K As Nomadic Woman Is Murdered After Sextual Assault By Four

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is outraged at the alleged “murder” of a nomadic woman after she was sextually assaulted by a group of four drunk men in the Nishat area of capital Srinagar on Sunday. All the four have been arrested by the police

The police sources said that the the woman, originally from J&K’s Reasi district, and currently putting up with her family in a makeshift dwelling along Nishat’s Water Works Road was assaulted by the accused after being sextually abused. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead-on arrival.

The locals caught hold of one of the accused who, they said, was in an inebriated condition and handed him over to the police. Three others involved in the crime were arrested subsequently, the witnesses said.

The police said that in course of investigation four accused persons were identified and arrested. They are Suhail Bashir Bhat, Adil Ali Bhat, Firdous Ahmad Rather, and Suhail Afzal Bhat. “Srinagar Police remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law, eliminate crime from society, and ensure the safety and dignity of every citizen”, it said in a statement here.

The incident has sparked a widespread outrage across J&K with people demanding severe punishment for the accused. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti while expressing shock over the alleged sexual assault and tragic death of the woman said, “Substance abuse, particularly alcohol and drugs, is devastating our youth and fuelling horrific crimes like rape and murder. This tragedy reflects a broader societal crisis.” Extending condolences to the victim’s family, she asked for strict legal action against the accused.

Ruling National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed also expressed his anguish and shock over the “horrific assault” and demanded a fast-track investigation into the incident and an exemplary punishment for those involved.

MLA (Kangan) Mian Mehar Ali also demanded a fast-track investigation into the incident and sought a stern punishment for the culprits involved. “A Bakerwal girl has been brutally assaulted and raped, leading to her death, by two men in Nishat area of Srinagar. I demand fast track investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment to the perpetrators”, he wrote on ‘X’.

Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq along with the members of Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu & Kashmir (MMU) expresses deep shock and heartbreak over the horrific incident. “This act of barbarity is not just a crime against an individual, it is a painful reflection of the deepening moral and spiritual crisis engulfing our society,” he said. He added, “The unchecked spread of obscenity and vulgarity through digital media, the rampant abuse of alcohol and drugs, and the growing culture of corruption and greed have severely weakened the ethical foundations of our people. The moral compass that once guided society is eroding before our eyes”.

Many people on Monday took to the social media platforms to endorse the calls for stern punishment to the accused, asserting it will act as a deterrent.