Geelani demands severe punishment to VDCs over abduction, rape of girl

Srinagar, July 27: (GNS) Expressing shock over abduction and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl by Village Defense Committee (VDC) members of Kishtwar, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani demanded immediate disarmament and dissolution of VDCs and severe punishment for those VDCs involved in the heinous crime.
“The aim of these committees is nothing other than to suppress Muslim community in Jammu and put them to the mercy of communal elements,” Geelani in a statement issued to GNS said.
Geelani said they have made life pitiable for Muslim population and act as dacoits of Chambal Ghati. “They, on one pretext or the other, demand ransom and are involved in rape cases. They in fact are the subsidiary forces for RSS and Sanghparivar,” Geelani said adding that instead of obeying the so called administration, they function on the directives of sectarian elements.
The Hurriyat Chairman while expressing heartfelt sympathy with the affected girl’s parents said that we equally share in this hour of grief and trauma they face. “The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir are with them and feel the intensity of their pain,” Geelani added. (GNS)