The Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed uproarious scenes and protests over the murder of eight-year-old girl Asifa Bano in her native village in Hira Nagar area of Kathua district, with the opposition staging a walkout to protest against the police “inaction” in tracing her after she was abducted last week.
As soon as proceedings began, the legislators from the opposition stood up and demanded a statement from government over the gruesome murder which has sent shockwaves throughout the region. “The police did nothing after she was abducted,” Congress MLA Viqar Rasool said. Soon other legislators including Mian Altaf and GM Saroori also demanded a statement from government over the issue.
Asifa, a girl from Bakerwal community was abducted last week in Hira Nagar area of Kathua and her body was found yesterday.
After she went missing, her family complained to the police that they suspected that she was abducted. Her murder has triggered massive protests from Bakerwal community in Jammu region.
Amid protests by the opposition, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri informed the House that Asifa had gone missing on January 10, 2018.
He said the police registered an FIR number 10/2018 on the basis of missing report lodged by the family. “The father of the girl suspected that her daughter was abducted,” the minister said.
He said the police has constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the murder. Unsatisfied with the minister’s reply, NC’s Mian Altaf demanded a time-bound probe into the killing. “We have seen nothing has been achieved by constituting the special investigation teams in the past. Give us a time-frame for completing investigation,” he demanded
Viqar alleged that minorities including Bakerwal community are being persecuted in Kathua district. “What police was doing for the past one week? Why they did not make any effort to trace the girl?” he asked.
He said the girls are feeling insecure in J&K. “Is this Beti Bachao, Beti Padao” (Save girl child, educate a girl child), “Kathua Mein Minorities Pe Zulum Ho Raha Hain” (minorities are being persecuted in Kathua), “Bakerwalon Pe Zulum Ho Raha Hain” (Bakerwals are being persecuted),” he shouted.
His party colleague GM Saroori demanded stern action against the police officers for failing to trace the girl. “Why the concerned DSP and SHO should not be suspended?” he asked.
Viqar later alleged that a local criminal patronized by government is involved in the murder.
Deputy Speaker Nazir Ahmad Gurezi directed the government to conduct a thorough probe into the murder.