Srinagar, 26 May (H.S.): PDP leader Iltija Mufti today linked the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in central Kashmir’s Budgam district to the Valley’s growing drug and opioid crisis, saying the brutality of the crime suggested the involvement of a “deeply disturbed person, possibly an addict”.

After visiting the bereaved family in the district’s Galwanpora, Mufti demanded a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation and called for the immediate identification and arrest of the accused.

“Kashmir is facing a serious drug and opioid crisis. The kind of brutality witnessed in this case suggests the involvement of a deeply disturbed person, possibly an addict. Such barbarity cannot be committed by someone in a normal state of mind,” she told reporters.

The girl’s body was recovered yesterday after she went missing while returning home from a Dargah. Police have indicated that the case prima facie appears to involve rape and murder.

Describing the incident as “heinous”, “barbaric” and “inhuman”, Mufti alleged that the victim had suffered brutal violence before being killed.

“The violence inflicted on her is immense. One has to be really sick to do this to an 11-year-old child. Whoever has done this is not a man but a beast,” she said.

Mufti said the incident had triggered fear and anger among residents, particularly women and young girls, across the district.

“She was just 11 years old. The police must act on the evidence collected so far and ensure that the culprit is identified as soon as possible,” she said.

Claiming that details emerging from the investigation suggested the victim had been sexually assaulted before being murdered, Mufti said the brutality of the crime had intensified concerns over the safety of women and children in Kashmir.

“Girls are not feeling safe anymore. Such incidents create fear among families and the administration must restore public confidence by ensuring swift justice,” she said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar