HC reserves order on Handwara girl's alleged police custody

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today reserved its order on alleged police custody of the Handwara girl and directed her family to file affidavits stating that no police protection was required.
"Today, the division bench of the High Court, Justices Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice A M Magray, heard the counsel for the mother of the minor girl on the unlawful police custody of the girl and members of her family since April 12.
"The High Court reserved the matter for orders but directed that the parents of the girl file affidavits stating that no police protection was required," a spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), which represents the girl and her family, said here.

He alleged the police has "intimidated and harassed the minor girl and her family and every attempt has been made to try and break their will and determination".
Massive protests had been witnessed in Handwara town of north Kashmir on April 12 following allegations that a girl was allegedly molested by an armyman.
Three persons were killed in security forces firing on protestors on the same day, while two other persons were killed in similar action over the next three days of protests.

The girl, in her statement to police as well as before a judicial magistrate, has not mentioned anything about molestation but named two local youth for harassing her while she had gone to a public lavatory to answer the call of nature.

One of the youth has been arrested while the other youth is on the run.
The state government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.