The mysterious death of a man, who was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir police on suspicion of being a cow smuggler in Kishtwar district last week, has triggered protests following which the administration has launched a magisterial probe into the incident.
Javaid Ahmad Malik, a resident of Bharat village, was detained by officers of Chatroo police station on Friday and died the same day. The police claimed that Malik fell into a gorge while trying to escape from custody but his family alleged that he was beaten to death. They said the victim had gone to the police station on his own to secure the release of two of his relatives who were arrested on charges of bovine smuggling.
An FIR has been registered against the police officers for negligence and a departmental inquiry has been initiated, officials said.
Cops suspended
SHO of Chatroo police station Mohammad Bashir has been transferred and two others — ‘Munshi’ Jaffar Khan and selection-grade constable Mohammad Amin — have been placed under suspension. Dismissal of a Volunteer Home Guard, Mohammad Shareef, from service has been recommended, the officials said.
Taking cognisance of protests in Doda and Chatroo over the death, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. “The inquiry will be conducted by Additional District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Imam Din who has been asked to submit his report in a specified time frame,” a police spokesperson said.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Abrar Chowdhary has also ordered a departmental probe by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Headquarters, Nihar Ranjan in the case, he said.