SRINAGAR: In a horrifying case, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Sumbal village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district by a fellow villager on Friday. The crime triggered massive protests across Kashmir Valley on Sunday, with people from all quarters coming together, cutting across political and ideological divides.

Demonstrations were held in several parts of north and central Kashmir — including Sumbal, Malik Mohalla, and Trehgam — before spilling over to Magam, Budgam Chowk and Khomeni Chowk in Srinagar’s Bemina area. Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Six agitators sustained minor injuries following clashes with police.

Protesters demanded exemplary punishment for the accused Tahir Ahmad Mir, who was arrested on Saturday. Mir was booked under Sections 363 (kidnapping), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 376 (rape) of the Ranbir Penal Code. A Special Investigation Team is investigating the matter.

In view of the security situation, authorities snapped internet services in north Kashmir and parts of central Kashmir as a precautionary measure.

“The heinous crime… is under investigation… and we assure that the perpetrator… will be brought to justice,” Bandipora deputy commissioner Shahbaz Mirza tweeted on Sunday, while requesting citizens to remain calm and not pay heed to rumours.

Political and social leaders cut across their beliefs and ideologies in condemning the horrific crime.

Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, “Mortified to hear about the rape of a 3-year-old girl in Sumbal. What kind of a sick pervert would do this? Society often blames women for inviting unwanted attention but what was this child’s fault? (In) times like these, Shariah law seems apt so that such paedophiles are stoned to death.”

“Deeply disturbed by the shocking heinous crime committed on a 3-year-old child in Sumbal. Such repeated incidents raise a serious question mark on how much of our moral and religious values have been imbibed within us and are reflected in our collective behaviour as a society,” Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted. “Appeal all to maintain calm and introspect while demanding stern punishment and speedy justice for the victim,” he added.

In a statement, the MMU — an amalgam of all Islamic bodies including Shia, Suni, Barelvi, Ahlihadith and others — said the “shocking” crime has shaken the conscience of every Kashmiri and brought their heads down in shame. It has once again shown the direction in which Kashmir, which was once a religious society, is heading.

This is the second time in two months that such a horrific case from Sumbal has come to the fore. In April, a girl had accused her father of allegedly raping her sisters for several months.

