Jammu and Kashmir: MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid to file motion against cops for assaulting him

Srinagar: Alleging some policemen had assaulted him in Anantnag district last week, Jammu and Kashmir Independent legislator Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Thursday said he would move a privilege motion in the Assembly in this regard.

“There was an attack, a murderous assault, on me on 2 December by some police officials… It was not just a physical attack but it has also destroyed my ego and self-respect. I have decided to file a privilege motion in the Assembly against the attack,” Rashid told reporters in Srinagar.

The legislator, who represents north Kashmir’s Langate in the Assembly, said the incident took place when he was on way to Dooru area of Anantnag for offering condolences to the family of Sajad Ahmad Malik.

Police had claimed that Malik was a history-sheeter and had decamped with a rifle from a police station after which he fired towards an army patrol where he was killed in the exchange of firing.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has claimed that Malik was an ex-sarpanch belonging to the party and termed the killing as a “politically motivated custodial murder”.

Rashid said on the way to Dooru, he was stopped by police at Khanbal, Anantnag and told that he cannot go further.

“I was manhandled, my clothes were torn, they abused me, kicked me and hit me with gun barrels. They then took me in their vehicle to Bijbehara police station, where a senior police was apologetic about the attack,” he said, adding the Deputy Inspector General of Police concerned told him that the Station Head Officer and a sub-inspector have been placed under suspension.

The legislator said he has also approached Chief Judicial Magistrate, Anantnag for filing a case.

“We have approached the CJM, Anantnag. He took cognizance of the matter and received my application. He has fixed 24 December as the date of hearing in the matter,” he said.

He said his Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) would take out a peaceful march on the occasion of World Human Rights Day on 10 December in Srinagar.