Srinagar: Army on Friday ordered a probe into allegations that its soldiers had raped a woman in Kulgam district, but her medical examination showed no signs of violence which prima facie indicates that she may not have been sexually assaulted.
Both the Army and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that strict action would be taken if the allegation of Ruqaya Bano, a 32-year-old woman from Gujjarpatti Manzpora in Kulgam — 80 kms from here, was proven.
However, late in the evening, highly-placed sources said that clinical examination of the woman showed presence of dead sperms. Average life of a sperm is 72 hours and it was indicative that the sexual assualt had not taken place.
The woman had yesterday lodged a police complaint accusing unidentified army personnel of abducting her on July 19 and being subjected to gang rape before being left off on July 21.
The state government was treading cautiously and had sent her vaginal swab for forensic tests.
The incident generated political heat with opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti rushing to the scene and demanding stern action against the culprits.
Immediately after her departure, people gathered in the streets and indulged in stone pelting and also burnt down down a government jeep and a motorcyle.
The Chief Minister said an identification parade of soldiers from the army unit stationed there could be held. “Size of army unit in area is less than 20 strong so identification parade won’t be a problem. Guilty won’t be spared either AFSPA or no AFSPA,” Omar said.
The Army, on its part, also announced a Court of Inquiry to probe the charges but maintained that the allegations can be an instigation to defame the force.
“If there is any truth in the allegation, then it is a criminal act against which strict action must be taken.,” General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 15 Corps Lt Gen Hasnain told reporters here. (PTI)