Mysterious Deaths in IIOJK Spark Public Outcry, Demand for Justice

Two unsettling deaths in IIOJK’s Rajouri and Udhampur districts within hours of each other have ignited public unrest and renewed calls for thorough, unbiased investigations.

Two unrelated but equally disturbing deaths in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Rajouri and Udhampur districts have triggered public concern and demands for fair investigations. The deaths, occurring within hours of each other, have unsettled local communities and prompted protests in Budhal, Rajouri.

In the first incident, the body of a young woman named Sonia Akhtar from Kewal Upper was discovered near the Haya bridge in Budhal under suspicious circumstances. A passerby found her lifeless body and quickly informed the Budhal Police. Authorities arrived at the scene and took custody of the body for medico-legal procedures.

The sudden and unexplained nature of Sonia’s death sparked suspicion and unrest among local residents. Many gathered at the spot, demanding a transparent probe into the matter. Senior PDP leader Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi led the protest, voicing fears that Sonia might have been murdered and warning of a possible cover-up if swift action wasn’t taken.

Protesters called for justice and accountability, urging authorities not to let the case be dismissed as accidental or routine. Responding to the growing tensions, SP Operations Budhal, Wajahat Hussain, visited the site, spoke to the family and community, and reassured them that a case had been registered. He promised a full and impartial investigation.

In a separate but equally troubling incident in Udhampur district, a 40-year-old man named Resham Singh was found dead under mysterious circumstances. He was reportedly discovered hanging in Shiv Nagar, raising immediate concerns about a possible suicide or foul play.

The police team from Udhampur responded quickly and moved the body to District Hospital Udhampur for a post-mortem examination. Authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the cause of the death, although no clear motive has been identified so far.

While the Budhal case raises fears of possible criminal activity, the Udhampur death has brought attention to the growing mental health crisis in the region. Locals are calling not just for answers, but for better community support systems to prevent such incidents.

The back-to-back tragedies have cast a shadow over the region, highlighting serious gaps in safety, mental health awareness, and public trust in law enforcement. Residents in both areas are demanding justice, transparency, and preventive measures to ensure such disturbing events don’t become a recurring pattern.

These incidents underline the urgent need for honest police work, mental health outreach, and community engagement to restore a sense of security across IIOJK’s vulnerable districts.