Protests were held across the Kashmir valley on Mondayagainst the alleged rape of a three-year-old girl in Sumbal area of northKashmir’s Bandipora district last week.
At several places, the police used tear gas to disperse theprotesters who had blocked the traffic movement to demand speedy trial of thecase.
On the evening of 8 May, a 3-year-old girl was rapedallegedly by his neighbour after luring her to a nearby school. “The accusedhad raped her in the washroom of the school located at a walking distance fromtheir respective houses,” locals said.
Angered by the horrific incident, the protesters assembledon the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway at Hygam and blocked the traffic movementfor several hours.
The protesters while demanding stern action against theaccused, also sought immediate action against the school principal who hadallegedly issued a certificate declaring the accused as a minor.
Police have detained the school principal for questioning.
The students of degree college Sopore and higher secondaryschool held a peaceful protest at Iqbal market area of the Sopore town amid ashutdown.
Protests erupted in many parts of Srinagar city, includingSaida Kadal, Gaw Kadal, Almagari Bazar and Shalimar areas.
Schools and other business establishments have also beenclosed in the city while the movement of public transport has been affected.
The students of Kashmir University and Islamic UniversityAwantipora also held protest rallies against the horrific incident.
Reports of protesters clashing with the security forces havealso been received from various parts of the valley.
Meanwhile, police have constituted a special investigationteam to investigate the alleged rape case. The accused has been arrested.
SSP Bandipora, Rahul Malik said the SIT comprising SDPOSumbal, SHO Sumbal and Senior Prosecuting Officer would investigate into theentire case.
He said the police “are treating the accused as major” andthe certificate that was uploaded on the social media regarding the age of theaccused was “fake”.
He appealed to the people to not pay heed to any rumours andhave “faith in the police”.
A police official said the age of the accused will bedetermined on the basis of “medical test” to be conducted by a team of seniordoctors.