Serious Calls for Justice Grow in Political Corridors Over Custodial Deaths in IIOJK

The tragic death of 23-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray in Indian forces’ custody has reignited fierce debate over human rights abuses in IIOJK, as political leaders across party lines demand accountability.

The mysterious death of a young Kashmiri man, Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray, has drawn widespread condemnation and urgent calls for an impartial investigation. Magray, 23, was allegedly detained by Indian forces and later found dead, with his body recovered from a stream in Kulgam. His death has fueled public outrage and political condemnation, once again spotlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament from the National Conference, labeled the incident as part of a troubling trend of rights violations in the region. He stated that credible sources confirmed Magray had been picked up by Indian forces days earlier, only for his lifeless body to be returned to his family. He warned that such incidents reflect a growing culture of collective punishment following violent episodes like the recent one in Pahalgam.

“Custodial killings and arbitrary detentions violate democratic norms and the rule of law,” Mehdi emphasized. His concerns echoed broader fears that Kashmiris are being systematically denied justice under the pretext of national security.

Former IIOJK Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also raised alarm over the incident. She pointed to rising cases of deaths under suspicious circumstances and mentioned another body recovered from a river, suggesting a pattern. Mufti stressed that the state’s approach to counter-terrorism was leading to indiscriminate arrests and punitive measures against civilians. “If one act of violence leads to widespread repression, then those who seek to disrupt peace have already succeeded,” she warned.

Sakina Itoo, a former cabinet minister, personally visited Magray’s grieving family. Expressing sympathy, she reiterated the need for a judicial inquiry. Itoo described Magray as a poor laborer, with no known links to militancy, stressing that his family deserves answers and justice.

Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also joined the chorus for a full and independent investigation. He highlighted the family’s claims that the Army had picked up the young man days before his death, reinforcing the urgency of clarifying the events leading up to his mysterious demise.

The case of Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and respect for legal norms in conflict-hit IIOJK. As political leaders rally for justice, civil society and international observers are once again reminded of the deep scars left by custodial deaths and enforced disappearances in the region.