Police start probe into video clip of Kashmiri youth

SRINAGAR - The Jammu and Kashmir police Thursday registered a case of false and malicious propaganda for the uploading of a three-minute video clip, purportedly of four youth being paraded naked by security forces, posted anonymously on various social networking websites.

“Police has taken cognizance of the three-minute video clip purportedly showing some boys being paraded by the security forces in Sopore town, uploaded on YouTube and Facebook,” a statement issued here said.

“In the initial investigations, it has been found that these reports have not been verified as yet and, therefore, to attribute it to the security forces is intended to malign them and spread disaffection amongst the people. The act is highly regrettable,” it said.

“Investigation is being taken up to locate the people responsible for uploading of this baseless and malicious clip,” the statement said, adding action shall also be taken against other organisations who tried to propagate it.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram had told reporters in Delhi that it was “unsafe to rely on a video posted anonymously on websites and purportedly showing uniformed security personnel in the Kashmir Valley herding four young men stripped naked”.

“No one is able to authenticate the video. Anyone (shown) in the video has not stood up or spoken out,” he said.

Chidambaram also said it was not clear where the video was shot and the people shown in it have not been identified.

“It is unsafe to rely on the video or arrive at a conclusion,” he said.