Jammu and Kashmir youth dies by suicide after police detention, probes ordered

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district have ordered inquiries into the death of a youth who allegedly died by suicide after being tortured in police custody, reported The Indian Express on Friday.

The man, Makhan Din, belonged to the Gujjar community, a Scheduled Tribe. He lived in Billawar town. The police denied allegations of torture and claimed that Din had militant links.

Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into Din’s death. Lohai Malhar Tehsildar Anil Kumar has been tasked with completing the inquiry within five days.

“Needless to mention here that he shall take statements of all relevant persons and adopt all requisite procedures under relevant rules,” the order stated.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have also ordered a departmental inquiry led by Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma of the Jammu-Samba-Kathua range.

“The enquiry officer has been directed to submit his report at the earliest to higher-ups,” a police statement said, urging people not to “pay heed to rumours” and cooperate with authorities.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday described the incident as “shocking”, alleging that 25-year-old Din was detained on “false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW)”, subjected to “brutal thrashing and torture” and “forced into a confession”.

An over ground worker refers to a…

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