Srinagar, November 12, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, human rights activist, Talib Hussain, who was the key whistle-blower in the horrific gang-rape of a minor girl in Kathua in 2018, has been arrested by Indian police in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district.

Talib Hussain was picked up by a police party from his home in Kokernag area of the district, leaving his family, including two minor daughters, in a state of shock. He was booked under the FIR that was registered around three weeks ago. He was arrested after he demanded justice for a tribal youth Parvez Ahmad, who was shot dead by Indian Central Reserve Police (CRPF) in the district, last month. An FIR has been lodged against him in police station Larnoo in the district.

The incident had taken place late in the evening on October 7. The slain was a resident of the Jammu region but used to live most of his summers in Srinagar with his family. Station House Officer (SHO) Larnoo, Nisar Ahmad, told media that Hussain made a ‘provocative speech’ after the killing of a youth in the CRPF Firing. He called it a fake encounter and provoked people against the authorities and Indian forces, a local newspaper quoted SHO Larnoo as saying.

Hussain, a month ago, in a Facebook live had questioned the official version of the incident and demanded an investigation into the killing. He had also questioned the haste allegedly exhibited in the funeral of the youth. He has told his brother that police have booked him for the 14-minute video about the killing of Parvez Ahmad, last month. The video was watched by more than 10K people.

Hussain’s lawyer Tariq Ahmad Breng told the newspaper that they have applied for bail and the authorities have been asked for an objection tomorrow. “I hope the bail will be provided in our favour,” the newspaper quoted him as saying. Hussain is currently associated with the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party.

Demanding Hussain’s immediate release, PDP spokesperson, Najmu Saqib, said the police must “put an end to the campaign of harassment of PDP leaders. “What crime has PDP Leader @Talib_Hussain_ committed? Is speaking up for tribal community and highlighting atrocities committed to them a crime now?” he asked.

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