The District Police of Kishtwar has issued an official clarification regarding a recent incident in the Hanzal area of Marwah District, which has sparked widespread attention on social media.
“According to the preliminary report, the incident involved a procession of 20-30 women who were stopped by the police. Tensions escalated when the women showed resistance, leading to a confrontation”, a district Police spokesperson said.
In a statement, the police clarified that the situation became volatile due to the counter-resistance from the group. “It was during this confrontation that the incident, now widely discussed on social media, is believed to have occurred. Importantly, the police noted that the girl seen in the circulated video is not the actual victim of the incident”, the spokesperson further said.
“To ensure a thorough investigation, the District Administration and Police have initiated a Magisterial inquiry into the matter. The SHO, Police Station Marwah has been suspended and attached to the District Police Lines (DPL) in Kishtwar pending the outcome of the inquiry. Furthermore, the police are closely examining the authenticity of the video clips that have fueled public outcry”, the spokesperson added. “The District Police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid being swayed by misinformation or any actions that could disrupt peace in the region. Authorities have also warned that those found guilty of inciting unrest or exploiting the incident for malicious purposes will face strict legal consequences”, the spokesperson further added.
