Arrest of Gujjar activist sparks widespread protests

Kashmir News Bureau
Jammu, Jan 22: The arrest of prominent social-activist Chaudhary Talib Hussain seeking justice for 8-year-old Asifa raped and murdered in Kathua district last week has sparked widespread condemnation from all corners of the state. Reports are emerging that dossier of PSA is being prepared against Talib who was at the forefront seeking justice for the murdered girl.
The police while confirming his arrest said Talib was creating law and order problem for which he has been arrested. The police said in pretext of ‘demanding justice’ he had blocked the highway repeatedly and was becoming major reason in creating law and order problem.
The arrest of Talib Monday rocked the state assembly where opposition demanded his release, MLA Pahalgam Altaf Kaloo questioned government over the arrest of Talib. He was supported by other members Vikar Rasool, Hakeem Yaseen, Abdul Majeed Larmi, Alarm Choudhary and MLA Amin Bhat.



“Talib being a well-qualified person was not involved in any anti-national activity and the reports about his dossier of PSA being prepared will further deteriorate the situation,” MLA Khansahab Hakeem Yaseen said.
Another legislator GM Zaroori said Talib has “committed no sin” as he being a Gujjar leader has right to raise the issue of his community.
“This is nothing but pressure tactics of the government to silence the voice of those seeking justice,” he said, adding, “I will approach the Supreme Court to seek the justice for the minor girl if government failed.”
“Chaudhary Talib Hussain is tirelessly working for the rights of people particularly those who have been evicted from their lands by the regime that is using communal card to polarize the community. He was protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a little girl child when police arrested him. We vehemently condemn his arrest. Instead of arresting the real culprits police has booked innocent Talib and now there is a rumour of him being booked under draconian black law of Public safety Act. The state police and government should desist from such infamous measures. By these tactics the government is reinforcing its image of a police state that is most intolerant of dissent and debate,” says Mushtaq ul Haq Sikandar a member of Civil Society Justice and Development.
Meanwhile reports reaching KNB, hundreds of students today assembled at Jammu University and protested against the arrest of Talib, demanding his immediate release.
Earlier, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the killing of the young girl as heart wrenching and said that government has already constituted a special investigation team to probe the case.