Kulgam youth’s death sparks outrage; Mufti, Itoo demand judicial inquiry
The body of a 22-year-old youth was found in a nullah in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday, amid allegations that he had been “picked up by security forces” days earlier.
Senior politicians, including J&K Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti, have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.
In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti said, “Yet another body has been recovered from a river in Kulgam raising serious allegations of foul play. Local residents allege that Imtiyaz Magray was picked up by the Army two days ago and now mysteriously his body has surfaced in the river. The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam appears to be a calculated attempt to derail the fragile peace, disrupt tourism in Kashmir and undermine communal harmony across the country.”
She further added, “If a single act of violence can shake the entire system—triggering arbitrary arrests, home demolitions and the targeting of innocent civilians—then the perpetrators have already achieved their objective. Allegations of misconduct, whether in the Bandipora encounter or in this latest incident in Kulgam, are deeply troubling and warrant a thorough impartial investigation.”
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has also urgently demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.
According to initial reports, the deceased had allegedly confessed to knowing the location of a terrorist hideout involving two Pakistani terrorists. During a subsequent search operation, he reportedly jumped into the river and allegedly died by suicide.
Speaking to reporters, Sakina Itoo said, “It is very unfortunate that such an incident took place. Two days ago he was picked up by a (Army) party. When his family visited a camp where he was kept, they were told that the victim will be released. However, in the morning, his body was found in a nullah. The police recovered the body and it was identified.”
Itoo added, “An atmosphere of fear is being created in the Valley. I request the Lt Governor to order a judicial inquiry so that the reality comes out. The Home Department should also be asked not to harass poor people. Everyone is sad about the Pahalgam tragedy, but such things should not happen in the future.”
J & K