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HVK Archives: Ultras spreading disinformation: J&K Govt

Ultras spreading disinformation: J&K Govt - The Indian Express

Aasha Khosa ()
6 September 1997

Title: Ultras spreading disinformation: J&K Govt
Author: Aasha Khosa
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 6, 1997

Fifty-five-year-old Mukti lies m a local hospital coping with a paralytic
stroke, least aware that she has been made the butt of a high pitched
propaganda on human rights violations.

Her husband, Ghulam Mohammad, a National Conference (NC) leader at Wathrove
village in Ganderbal, had alleged that a policeman involved in
counter-insurgency and a surrendered militant had raped his wife on August
27. Investigations have however revealed that Mukti, a grandmother, was
hospitalised m the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of M~ Institute, several days
before the incident.

The issue was raked up by NC leader, Sheikh Saloora, during the last
assembly session. Saloora, who calls himself, "the Chief Minister's
representative in Ganderbal" had accompanied Mohammad and his son when they
visited the Chief Minister to stage a protest. Saloora sought the removal
of security forces, particularly the Special Task Force (STF) from
Ganderbal. Official investigations within two days of the alleged incident
blamed militants for roping in members of the ruling party to rake up human
rights violations issue and put pressure on the forces.

Sources said that Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah upset over the fabricated
rape story later reprimanded Saloora, and cautioned his partymen from
falling into such traps in the future. Saloora had earlier alleged that a
STF inspector and a surrendered militant had barged into Mohammad's house
and raped his daughter-in-law. "The moment we heard the name of the
policeman allegedly involved in the rape, we knew he was being implicated
since he had successfully carried out anti-militancy operations in
Ganderbal," a senior police officer said.

However, the next day when police arranged for an identification parade of
the 'rapists', the 'victim' did not turn up. Instead, Mohammad and his son
changed their version and alleged that it was Mukti who had been raped.
They added that her brutal rape had necessitated her hospitalisation.
Hospital records later confirmed that Mukti had been admitted days before
the incident.

According to police sources, militants are fabricating stories to get rid
of the STF, which has proved to be a formidable force against them in
Ganderbal, the Chief Minister's constituency. And they are trying to lend
credibility to their design by using ruling party members. Speaking to The
Indian Express, NC general secretary, Sheikh Nazir, confessed that, some
partymen were too naive to understand these "psychological games" and were
getting trapped in embarrassing situations. "Our partymen should
understand that they will not get any concession from the law if they try
to plead on behalf of the militants," he said.

Local sources however said that fear of militants had forced the local NC
leader to fabricate the story.


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