The J-K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a human rights body, on Thursday accused the police of detaining the father of the Handwara girl, who was at the centre of the storm which resulted in the killing of four people in firing by security forces in Kupwara. Noting that the 16-year-old girl’s family approached the JKCCS for legal counsel and other support, the rights body spokesman quoting the family membersm alleged that “the girl has been kept in police custody from April 12 to date”.
“Last night, around 1 a.m., the father of the victim was called to the Handwara police station. He was accompanied by his brother. Since then his whereabouts are not known. The family has been denied access to both the minor girl and her father,” said JKCCS spokesman.
“The detention of the minor girl and her father are outside the powers of the State and appears to be an attempt to pressure the family to withdraw all allegations against the armed forces,” said the civil society.
