Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today slammed protests held in support of Special Police Officer Deepak Khujaria who was arrested on charges of kidnapping, raping, and murdering an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district last month.
Right-wing outfit Hindu Ekta Manch had reportedly taken out protest march demanding the release of the SPO. “It will disturb the situation. We are against the murder of the minor nomad girl but we don’t want our men to be framed,” a report by the Rising Kashmir quoted a leader of the outfit as saying.
Mufti hit out at the alleged use of national flag in the demonstrations held by the protesters. "Also horrified by their use of our national flag in these demonstrations, this is nothing short of desecration. The accused has been arrested & the law will follow its course," she tweeted.
A girl's body was recovered from the Rassana forest on January 17, a week after she went missing while grazing horses.
The issue had repeatedly rocked the state Assembly with opposition parties raising questions and demanding action against the culprits.
On January 23, the Mehbooba Mufti government had ordered a probe in the matter and handed over the case to the crime branch of the state police.
Special police officer (SPO) Deepak Khujaria was later arrested by the Crime branch. Khajuria was also among those appointed to trace her when she went missing.
(Inputs from agencies)
