A Jammu & Kashmir minister from Omar Abdullah's cabinet has been accused of hitting a senior government official ahead of a public rally Kishtwar on Thursday.
State home minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo reportedly slapped Riyaz Ahmed Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of Development Authority at the Tourist Receipt Centre (TRC) in for arriving late. The incident took place right before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's visit to the district.
"I reached the spot a bit late as I was busy in making arrangements of CM's visit, the minister (Kichloo) told me -- what do you think of yourself -- and as I said I am an official performing my duty and then he slapped me twice," Choudhary told Kashmir Times,
"When I resisted his third slap and questioned him about his act, he (minister) directed the police to arrest me...His security personnel and several others pounced on me...Beat me and tore my clothes publically.
"I was assaulted in full public view without any provocation from my side. I'm a victim and I have lodged a complaint in this regard with the police here...I think they will register an FIR" and "I will take legal actions to get the case registered...I will fight."
The local MLA, Kichloo, could not be reached after the incident. Superintendent of police Kulbir Singh refused to comment on the allegations.
