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Regular-article-logo Friday, 26 April 2024

Own goal by Kashmir police

The police inadvertently shared with the media a document highlighting alleged rights abuses by security forces

Muzaffar Raina Srinagar Published 22.11.19, 08:54 PM
Curfew-like restrictions were in place for weeks since August 5 but officials had insisted that only restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC, which prevents gatherings of people, had been imposed.

Curfew-like restrictions were in place for weeks since August 5 but officials had insisted that only restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC, which prevents gatherings of people, had been imposed. AP

A police goof-up on Friday left the Jammu and Kashmir administration red-faced, the law-enforcement agency having inadvertently shared with the media a document highlighting alleged rights abuses by security forces.

The document contains screenshots of pro-Kashmir tweets or reports, pictures of alleged torture by the security forces and anti-India statements by Pakistan or leaders of other countries.

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The document was mailed to reporters as an attachment along with a statement about the arrests of some drug peddlers in Budgam district.

“In reference to our press release…. (the document) has been inadvertently received by you. You are requested to ignore this attachment,” the police said in a statement when reporters approached them for clarification.

The document reveals how the police have been monitoring social media posts, tweets and reports on the situation in Kashmir.

Tweets by activist Shehla Rashid figure prominently in the attachment. Shehla is facing sedition charges for some of her tweets. She was part of IAS topper Shah Faesal’s party but quit mainstream politics in protest against the developments in Kashmir.

The document begins with a tweet from the account “Red For Kashmir”, which claims the curfew has entered the “28th consecutive day”.

Curfew-like restrictions were in place for weeks since August 5 but officials had insisted that only restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC, which prevents gatherings of people, had been imposed.

The attachment sent by the police features a picture posted by KashmirWatch.com, a Pakistan-based portal, showing the limbs of a youth that bear torture marks.

In one particular statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claims “hospitals have run out of medical supplies” and “tales of horror are finding their way into the international media”.

In another, Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says: “India can’t snatch Kashmiris’ right to autonomy with its one-sided actions.”

An unverified report by a Pakistani channel claims “the European parliament’s committee on foreign affairs” has asked India to lift the 29-day-old curfew in Kashmir.

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