A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court against the release of a video in which a minor girl spoke about her molestation case in the state's Handwara town, ANI reported. In the clip, purportedly shot by the police, the girl says locals had assaulted her and denies any army personnel's involvement. Her earlier claim that an army official had molested her had triggered clashes in the town in Kupwara district, which led to the army opening fire at protesters. A total of five people have died in firing by security personnel in the area so far.

Earlier, the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, an advocacy group, had alleged that the police and army had violated several laws and mishandled the sexual harassment case. It had also pointed out that disclosing the girl's identity in the video was a violation of the rights of minor victims of sexual assault.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Saturday asked state police to explain why they detained the minor girl who was allegedly molested. The girl's mother had filed a petition seeking her release, PTI reported. Judge MH Attar directed the Superintendent of Police, Handwara, and station head officer to tell the court under what law they had detained the girl, her father and aunt since April 12. He also ordered the police to produce the minor before the Chief Judicial Magistrate so her statement could be recorded.

Additional central armed forces will be sent to Kashmir to ensure security in the valley, the Ministry of Home Affairs said. It also assured full support to the Jammu and Kashmir government, ANI reported. A fifth civilian, reportedly a Class XI student, was killed on Friday after the army opened fire at protesters again. A police official had told PTI that security forces had begun to fire after a mob pelted stones at an Indian Army camp. The district has been facing curfew-like restrictions and a ban on mobile internet services after protests began last Tuesday.