Protests erupted on Monday in parts of the Kashmir Valley against the rape of a three-year-old, allegedly by a local youth in north Kashmir, forcing the authorities to close all educational institutes.
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan appealed to people to maintain peace, brotherhood and law and order. "Justice will be done and the culprit will be given severe punishment as per law. It will be investigated on a fast track," he said.
On Thursday, the youth allegedly lured the child with a candy and raped her in Sumbal area's Trehgam locality.
A medical report is yet to be produced.
The child's family said she was sexually assaulted by the youth who lives in their neighbourhood.
Violent protests broke out for the second consecutive day in parts of Baramulla, Srinagar and Bandipora districts. Protesters closed the Srinagar-Baramulla highway. The authorities decided to close schools and colleges as a precautionary measure. A spontaneous shutdown was observed across the Valley over the incident.
Youth arrested: police
A police official said the youth had been arrested, and a special investigation team constituted to investigate the case. The head of a local school who issued a birth certificate to the accused, declaring him a minor, has been arrested. A medical team is likely to determine the accused's age through scientific measures.
All political parties, religious and social groups have condemned the incident.
"Mortified to hear about the rape of a three-year-old 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? Times like these, Shariah law seems apt so that such paedophiles are stoned to death," Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir said in a tweet.
People's Conference general secretary Imran Reza Ansari described the incident as a crime against humanity and demanded severe punishment to the accused.
"The need of the hour is to set up a fast track court for punishing the accused. Action should be taken against the school for issuing a fake date of birth certificate to show that the accused is a minor," said Mr. Ansari.
Mirwaiz's plea
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq appealed for unity and vigil against some elements who want to divide people on sectarian basis.
"A fervent appeal to all the people of Kashmir to maintain unity and vigil, especially in view of mischievous forces waiting to create a sectarian divide out of this most reprehensible crime against a child which is indeed a crime against all humanity. All of Kashmir stands in unison," said Mr. Farooq.
