J&K Assembly Erupts Over Police Brutality Against Kulgam Protesters

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Monday as lawmakers fiercely protested police action against demonstrators in Kulgam district, sparked by the deaths of two tribal youths.

The uproar followed the recovery of the bodies of Showkat Ahmad Bajad and Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, missing since February 13, with their families alleging torture and demanding a judicial probe.

The session turned tumultuous when MLA Choudhary Akram (Surankote) condemned a viral video showing a police officer allegedly kicking a woman protester during Sunday’s demonstration in Kulgam.

“It’s a serious concern that a lady was assaulted. This House must condemn it,” Akram declared. Legislators from the National Conference (NC), Congress, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rallied behind him, with NC’s Nazir Gurezi questioning, “Is this a police state? Can police act without law?” Several NC MLAs, including Javed Choudhary and Mian Mehar Ali, attempted to storm the well of the House but were restrained by marshals.

The Kashmir Zone Police responded on X, acknowledging the video and announcing an inquiry led by DIG South Kashmir, with findings due within 10 days. Amid the escalating tension, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened, relaying Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s assurance to address the issue.

The unrest stems from the mysterious deaths of the Bajad brothers, laborers from Rajouri working in Kulgam, whose bodies surfaced last week. A third missing youth, Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, remains untraced, intensifying local outrage. As families cry foul, the Assembly’s fiery showdown underscores mounting demands for accountability in a region already on edge.