Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday addressed claims made by PDP President Mehbooba Mufti about the death of a 25-year-old man from Billawar, named Makhan Din. Mufti alleged that Din died due to torture while in police custody, which the police strongly denied.
In her post on X, Mehbooba Mufti expressed her shock, saying that Din was arrested by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Billawar on false charges of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW). She claimed he was beaten and forced to confess before being found dead. She also mentioned that the area was sealed off and internet services were cut, causing panic among residents. Mufti called for an immediate investigation by the Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response, a police spokesman stated that there was no crackdown in Billawar and that life was going on normally. They emphasized that traffic was moving smoothly and that internet services in the Kathua district were not affected.
The police also mentioned that Makhan Din was related to a known terrorist and had connections to a group involved in a deadly attack on an Army convoy in July 2024, which killed four soldiers. They claimed that Din had suspicious contacts in Pakistan and other countries. According to the police, there was no evidence of torture; instead, Din was questioned and later went home, where he reportedly took his own life.
In response to the incident, District Commissioner Rakesh Manhas has ordered a magistrate inquiry. Senior police officials, including Additional SP Operation Billawar Amir Iqbal and Dy. SP Javaid Tabassum, have visited Din’s family to assure them of a fair investigation.
Taking the situation seriously, senior officers have started a departmental inquiry led by Shiv Kumar, IPS, DIG of the Jammu-Srinagar-Kathua Range. The inquiry officer has been asked to submit a report as soon as possible. The public is urged not to spread rumors and to cooperate with the police during the investigation.
