IIOJK political leadership demands impartial probe into custodial death
Asks India not to subject Kashmiri population to collective punishment
Srinagar: Senior political leaders in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir from across the aisle have called for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of a 23-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray in Indian forces’ custody.
According to Kashmir Media Service, National Conference Member of Parliament Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi described the incident as part of a “disturbing pattern” of rights violations. “According to credible reports, Imtiyaz was picked up by Indian forces days ago, and today he was returned to his family lifeless,” Mehdi said in a statement. He said that the people of occupied Kashmir should not be subjected to collective punishment after Pahlgam incident.
“Custodial killings and arbitrary detentions are in complete violation of democratic and legal principles,” he said.
Former Peoples Democratic Partyh President president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grave concern. “Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam, raising serious allegations of foul play,” she said. Citing local claims that Magray had been detained by the army two days earlier, Mufti warned against sweeping actions in the name of counter-terrorism. “If a single act of violence can shake the entire system, triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the targeting of innocent civilians, then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective,” she said.
Sakina Itoo, a cabinet minister, visited the bereaved family and sought a probe into the case of the youth who was arrested and later his body was the river. She sought a judicial probe and asserted that he was labourer and the family is poor and they lack involvement.
CPI-M leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also called for a thorough probe. “The mysterious death of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, whose body was recovered from a stream in Kulgam, has raised serious questions with his family alleging that he was picked up by the Army a few days earlier.” “The incident calls for a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the youth’s death,” he demanded.
