The 18-year-old Pune girl detained in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Republic Day has been handed over to her family.
Her mother, not wanting Hindustan Times to name her, said over the phone that Jammu and Kashmir Police gave her “clean chit” and allowed her to leave on Saturday, February 3, 2018. The girl and her family were in Pune on Sunday, February 4, 2018.
J&K director general of police Shesh Paul Vaid also confirmed that he gave the go-ahead for her release.
“IG spoke to me a couple of days ago saying we have called the girl’s family to hand her over to them. I have given the go ahead,” Vaid said.
Kashmir inspector general of police, Munir Khan did not responde to calls from HT, despite repeated attempts.
The police in Kashmir had sounded an alert and detained the Yerawada girl on January 25 in south Kashmir, after getting “strong input” that she “may attempt a suicide bomb explosion inside or near the Republic Parade venue”. The input turned out to be false.
The police acknowledged on January 27 that there was “no evidence against her to prove she was on a suicide mission”.
The family of the girl has maintained that she was in Kashmir to study nursing.
{{/usCountry}}The family of the girl has maintained that she was in Kashmir to study nursing.
{{/usCountry}}Without naming any organisation, the mother said that the girl was “very traumatised”.
“I can’t say anything now. We are very afraid. Suddenly, news spread against an 18-year-old girl who was just starting her life. Such a big allegation against her. We have become frustrated,” the mother said.
She also acknowledged the help of Kashmiri locals to get them out of this difficult situation.