A video showing a police officer kicking a woman protester in Kashmir has sparked widespread outrage, with political leaders condemning the incident and the Jammu and Kashmir Police launching an inquiry into the matter.
The woman was among the mourners protesting the recent deaths of two missing men from Kulgam’s Devsar area and demanding an investigation.
The video, which surfaced on social media, shows a policeman using force against the protester, leading to sharp criticism from political figures and raising concerns about alleged police brutality in the region.
The protest stemmed from the disappearance of three men from Kulgam last month. On Thursday, one of the missing men was found dead in the Vaishaw stream, while the body of another was discovered on Sunday. The third individual remains unaccounted for. Their families suspect foul play and are demanding justice.
On Sunday, as the bodies were being mourned, demonstrators took to the streets calling for an inquiry. It was during this protest that the woman was allegedly assaulted by the police officer, further fueling public anger.
The incident has drawn criticism from various political leaders, who condemned the police's actions and accused authorities of using excessive force.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti called the officer’s actions “shocking and unbecoming” and urged the J&K Police to take immediate action.
“It is this highhanded behaviour from those expected to uphold the law that creates a trust deficit, alienating people even further,” she posted on X.
Mufti also alleged that she was prevented from visiting Kulgam, claiming that authorities locked the gates of her house without informing her.
Sajad Lone, president of the Peoples Conference, criticised the officer’s actions as “utterly disdainful” and said such incidents were not isolated.
“Images of a police officer kicking the female relatives of two youths who died in Kulgam are utterly disdainful. The whole action reeks of contempt within the minds of those who are supposed to protect the masses. And this is not a rare occurrence—it almost happens daily, just that it often escapes filming,” Lone said on X.
National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi called the increasing number of human rights violations in Kashmir “deeply disturbing.”
“The tragic deaths of Riyaz and Showkat in Kulgam have left their families in unbearable grief, yet instead of compassion, they are met with brutality. The visuals of a police officer kicking the mourning women protesting for justice are disgraceful and inhumane,” Ruhullah remarked.
The controversy reached the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday, where legislators across party lines raised concerns over the incident.
The J&K Police responded by launching an inquiry into the officer’s conduct, promising that the investigation would be completed within 10 days.
“A video has surfaced on social media regarding a police officer’s conduct with the public in Kulgam. We have taken cognisance of yesterday’s incident and the allegations regarding the officer’s conduct. DIG SKR will enquire and submit his findings within 10 days,” the J&K Police said in a statement.