SRINAGAR: Widespread outrage has erupted across Jammu and Kashmir following the alleged sexual assault and subsequent death of a nomadic woman in Srinagar’s Nishat area, with political, religious, and civil society leaders demanding swift and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
The victim, a tribal woman originally from Reasi, was reportedly assaulted by a group of intoxicated individuals near Water Works Road in Nishat on Sunday evening while she was grazing her livestock. She later succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. According to police, four persons have been arrested in connection with the case and an FIR has been registered.
In immediate reaction, markets in Brein and Nishat areas of Srinagar remained closed on Monday in protest against the gruesome act. Locals gathered in the area, demanding justice and severe punishment for the accused. “This inhuman act has shocked us all. We want justice and strict punishment for the guilty,” said Abdul Rasheed, a local resident.
Religious leaders, spearheaded by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), condemned the incident, calling it a “barbaric crime” and a reflection of a broader moral and spiritual decay in society. In a statement, MMU lamented the erosion of ethical values due to the unchecked spread of obscenity, alcohol and drug abuse, and rising greed.
“This act of barbarity is not just a crime against an individual—it is a painful reflection of the deepening moral and spiritual crisis engulfing our society,” the MMU said. They extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the victim’s maghfirah and a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. They also urged authorities to deliver swift justice through exemplary punishment.
Political leaders across the spectrum expressed shock and demanded accountability. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) said such acts should not go unpunished. In a statement on X, the party expressed grief and extended condolences to the victim’s family. NC General Secretary and MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar, Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi, and MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali also expressed anguish and called for a fast-track investigation.
Mian Mehar Ali wrote on social media, “A Bakerwal girl has been brutally assaulted and sexual assaultd, leading to her death by two men in Nishat area of Srinagar. I demand a fast-track investigation and exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.”
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti termed the crime “heartbreaking” and linked it to the growing problem of substance abuse among youth. “Substance abuse, particularly alcohol and drugs, is devastating our youth and fuelling horrific crimes like sexual assault and murder,” she said, adding that this tragedy reflects a wider societal collapse. She urged authorities to ensure the accused face the full force of the law.
Sajad Gani Lone, MLA Handwara and Chairman of the Peoples Conference, described the act as “barbaric” and demanded a fast-track trial to ensure stringent punishment.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari called the incident horrifying and deeply shameful. “Those involved must be brought to justice. My heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family. No words of solace can ease their pain,” he said.
Iltija Mufti, PDP leader, provided further details of the incident in her statement, alleging that the woman was tied to a tree and sexual assaultd by drunk men, and later taken to a hospital where no doctor was available to treat her. “The culprits must be brought to task for this blood-curdling crime,” she said.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the Kashmir Valley, with condemnation pouring in from all quarters. While the authorities have launched an investigation, public anger remains palpable, with calls for justice intensifying.
