Indian authorities cut internet to curb unrest as protests over rape and murder of girl highlight divisions
According to police the eight-year-old girl was drugged, held captive in a Hindu temple for five days, repeatedly raped and then killed
The internet is being cut for hours on end in Jammu as authorities try to halt protests that have grown in the Kashmir winter capital since the rape-murder of an eight-year-old girl opened a new front in India’s Hindu-Muslim divide.
With near daily protests held across the country over the brutal killing, Jammu police say the digital clampdown is to halt the spread of “rumours” that inflame tensions.
Much damage has already been done in the city. Eight Hindu men are on trial for the rape and murder of the Muslim girl, or for trying to destroy evidence.
On the streets, Muslims are demanding justice while Hindu radicals say the inquiry is biased. Threats have been made and state politicians forced to resign.
“Hang the real guilty,” read banners carried by about 100 mainly Hindu protesters on a Jammu road on Friday. The group were demanding a new investigation into the events in Kathua district about 60km from Jammu.
According to police the girl was drugged, held captive in a Hindu temple for five days, repeatedly raped and then killed.