The Bar Association of Jammu, today alleged that their aggression for a CBI inquiry into the Kathua rape and murder case to make sure that the eight-year-old gets justice is being posed as communal by the ones who possess a ‘Kashmiri-centric mindset’. Coming in strongly for providing justice to the victim, the BAJ asserted that the inquiry by the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police was conducted on dubious lines amidst threats pouring in and a pressure from a panel of police officers from the Kashmir Valley. One of them has already served a jail term for the alleged rape and murder of a minor.
The city of Jammu, yesterday seemed to have wrapped in a deserted mode, with all the chief shopping areas, schools, trading areas were shut, following a bandh that was called in by the Jammu High Court Bar Association (JHCBA) so as to protest against the surging illegal presence of Bangladeshi and Rohingyas nationals, while also demanding a probe by the CBI into the Kathua rape and murder case.
The eight-year-old girl belonged to nomadic Muslim Bakerwal community and so far the police have been able to arrest 8 people in the case. However, the Bar Association has strongly opposed the action alleging “targeting of minority Dogras”.
Out of those who have been arrested, are from the Hindu Ekta Manch which is a right-wing group. The BAJ President, B S Salathia stated at a press conference, “Kashmir-centric mindset tried to give our agitation for CBI probe a communal colour. They were trying to divide Jammu on communal lines. It is their conspiracy. It was portrayed as if we are against justice for the girl. We demand CBI probe for justice to the minor, and those involved should be punished”.
He further stated that from the very beginning, the BAJ has called in for an unbiased probe to punish the guilty, “and that is why we demanded a CBI probe”.
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