Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest on Tuesday and denied permission to visit Budgam following the brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl that shocked the entire region.
Mirwaiz had sought authorisation to offer condolences to the bereaved family of the minor victim, describing the incident as “shocking, tragic and shameful”.
In a statement, Mirwaiz said all his visits are subject to prior permission from authorities, who must be informed a day in advance.
“It is strange that even a basic humanitarian gesture of expressing sympathy and condolence with the bereaved threatens the rulers and their narrative of ‘peace and normalcy’,” he said.
While Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested the accused within 36 hours of the incident, public resentment has grown, with many demanding capital punishment for those involved in the heinous crime.
Since the past two days, several candle marches have been taken out across different places in Kashmir demanding fast-track trial and immediate punishment for the culprit. Officials said they will ensure the culprit is handed the strictest possible punishment for the crime.
Meanwhile, mainstream political leaders along with sections of civil society have expressed shock over the incident and demanded immediate justice for the deceased.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also described the incident as shocking.
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