J&K leaders decry ‘mass detentions’ in Kashmir after Kulgam attack
NC MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said he was briefed on reports of over 500 individuals being rounded up by the SOG of the J&K Police in ‘sweeping nocturnal raids across Kashmir’
Several Jammu and Kashmir leaders on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) raised an outcry in Kashmir over the alleged mass summoning and detentions of local youth after the killing of an ex-serviceman by militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam two days ago.
National Conference (NC) MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said he was briefed on reports of over 500 individuals being rounded up by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police in “sweeping nocturnal raids across Kashmir”.
“The number is suspected to be much higher in actuality. I fail to imagine the terror of a family whose loved ones now lie in the abyss of an opaque security system. This is not security. This is punishment by exile. I unequivocally condemn the attack on the Territorial Army soldier and his family. Violence, especially against women and children, is abhorrent. But to punish an entire population for the crimes of a few is not counterterrorism — it is collective retribution,” Mr. Ruhullah said.
The Srinagar MP said the establishment in Kashmir and in Delhi needed to arrive at a common denominator for conducting operations in Kashmir. “The use of vague, legally unsound terminology such as ‘OGWs’ (overground workers), ‘hybrid militants’, etc., to justify human rights violations must be shunned,” Mr. Ruhullah said.
Unknown militants shot dead Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, a former soldier who had retired in 2021, and left his wife and niece injured in Kulgam near their house.
Since the killing, security forces have allegedly rounded up youths from Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag districts. The number of detentions allegedly runs into hundreds. It’s mostly those who have cases registered in anti-government protests or militancy-related incidents who have been summoned for questioning after the attack.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the alleged mass detentions. “Every such killing and causing injury to innocents is condemnable, but to target and detain hundreds of family members and relatives of those associated with militancy because of their relationship is harassment. It vitiates the atmosphere and furthers hostility. Authorities should release these people immediately,” the Mirwaiz said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, who visited the family of the deceased ex-soldier, also expressed concern on the crackdown by the security forces. “The family of the slain army man is asking who killed him in broad daylight. It is a big deal. Now, security forces are picking up people everywhere. If someone has committed a crime, will you punish all people for this?” Ms. Mufti said.
Ms. Mufti, daughter of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said around 500 youth had been detained following the Kulgam attack, but the government had taken no action. “The situation remains unchanged even after the formation of the government, with an atmosphere of arrests and threats continuing to prevail in Kashmir,” Ms. Mufti said.
“Not just Kulgam but in Budgam and Ganderbal small boys are being picked up. I want to ask the government — are all of them militants? Why are they looking at everyone with suspicion? What’s surprising is that not even a single Minister has given any statement regarding it,” Ms. Mufti said.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and MLA M.Y. Tarigami termed the reports of nocturnal raids and arbitrary detentions as “deeply disturbing”. “While the killing of innocent people deserves strongest condemnation, subjecting an entire community to collective punishment is unjust and unacceptable,” Mr. Tarigami said.
Meanwhile, J&K BJP president Sat Sharma; BJP leader and J&K Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma; and former BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina visited the Army’s 92 Base hospital at Badami Bagh to see the condition of the slain army man’s wife and niece, who were injured in the attack.
“Certain elements in J&K are acting at the behest of Pakistan. They are attempting to disrupt peace in the region. His martyrdom will not go in vain. Those who committed this heinous crime will pay a heavy price for it,” Mr. Sharma said.
NC leader and spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar accused the BJP leaders of “doing politics over the killing”. “It is the Lieutenant Governor who is handling law and order. Which party does the L-G belong to?” Mr. Dar, who also visited the victim’s family in Kulgam, said.
CPI(M) leader and MLA M.Y. Tarigami termed the reports of nocturnal raids and arbitrary detentions “deeply disturbing”. “While the killing of innocent people deserves strongest condemnation, subjecting an entire community to collective punishment is unjust and unacceptable,” Mr. Tarigami said.
