The deaths of two civilians in Jammu and Kashmir have sparked outrage. One was killed in Army gunfire in Baramulla, while the other, Makhan Din, died by suicide in Kathua after allegedly suffering police torture. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for independent inquiries into both incidents and has urged the Union government to ensure a transparent and time-bound investigation.
The circumstances surrounding these deaths have revived concerns about the excessive use of force by security agencies and its impact on peace in the region.
In Baramulla, Waseem Ahmed Malla, a 27-year-old truck driver, was shot dead by the Army. The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps stated that soldiers opened fire after he ignored repeated warnings to stop. However, political leaders and civil society groups disputed this claim, insisting that security forces must exercise greater restraint.
In the second incident, 26-year-old Makhan Din from Billawar, Kathua, died by suicide after being allegedly tortured in police custody. Makhan and his father, Mureed, were detained on suspicion of militant links.
Mureed alleged that both were subjected to severe torture overnight and pressured to confess to terrorism-related activities. The day after their release, Makhan recorded a video in a mosque, swearing on the Quran that he had no ties to militants. Shortly after, he consumed poison and died.
While police have denied allegations of torture, they claimed that Makhan had connections to Pakistani terrorists, including Swar Din, who was allegedly involved in an Army convoy attack that killed four soldiers. Police insisted that Makhan was not harmed in custody and had no visible injuries.
Abdullah condemned both incidents, warning that excessive force could alienate the local population and hinder peace efforts.
"These incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have occurred," he said, emphasising that Jammu and Kashmir cannot achieve normalcy without the cooperation of its people.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti called the Kathua incident part of a "pattern of targeting innocent youth". She accused the police of fabricating charges against Makhan Din, alleging he was brutally tortured into a confession.
In Kathua, MLA Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh led protests demanding a judicial probe, ₹10 lakh compensation, and a government job for Makhan’s widow.
"We won't end our protest until our demands are met," Singh stated.
The District Magistrate of Kathua has ordered a magisterial inquiry, while the J&K Police have launched a fact-finding investigation. However, police denied claims of a crackdown or an internet shutdown, contradicting local reports.
