Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today lauded the people of Jammu for dismissing communal forces and their unwavering support for justice to an eight-year-old girl who was raped and killed in Kathua.
“I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces and were unwavering in their support for a little girl.
“It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness and together the people of J-K inspire secular unity and righteousness,” Mufti said in a tweet.
In an earlier tweet, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the Supreme Court taking cognisance of an attempt by lawyers in Kathua to obstruct the Crime Branch in filing their charge-sheet in the case.
“Heartening to see the Supreme Court take cognisance of the attempted obstruction of justice by some lawyers in the brutal Kathua rape and murder case reminding us once again of the greatness of this nation,” she said.
“While it may seem to get bogged down by different discourses at times, it’s DNA of love and compassion always remains the same,” she added.
I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces & were unwavering in their support for a little girl. It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness & together the people of J&K inspire secular unity & righteousness.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 14, 2018
Two BJP mnisters, Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash, who had attended a rally in support of the accused persons in Kathua, yesterday submitted their resignations to party’s state president Sat Sharma.
While a meeting of the BJP legislature party is scheduled to be held in Jammu today to chart the future course of action on the issue, legislators of coalition partner PDP are also meeting here to “take stock of the situation”.
The rape and killing of the girl, who belonged to the nomadic Bakerwal Muslim community, has become a national issue. The gory details of the heinous crime surfaced following filing of charges.
The girl had disappeared from a spot near her house close to Rasana village on January 10. A week later, her body was found in the same area.
A special investigation team, formed to probe the incident, has arrested eight people, including two special police officers (SPOs) and a head constable, who was charged with destroying evidence.
