J&K tribal leader who protested at demolition site faces charges of ‘attempt to murder, rioting with deadly weapons’

The tribal leader, who was arrested after organizing a protest at a demolition site in Jammu, faces charges of “attempt to murder”, “rioting” and “possession of a deadly weapon”.

Seeking his immediate release, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said he “was jailed for fighting for the rights of a poor marginalized tribal community”.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Bagh-e-Bahu police station in Jammu, the tribal leader, Talib Hussain Choudhary, faced charges under sections 109, 126(2), 121, 132, 191(2), 191(3), 190, 1255, 1255, 1255, 1255, 1255, (BNS). These sections deal with charges of attempted murder, voluntary grievous bodily harm and assault on a public official, disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon, and endangering public safety.

Mr. Choudhary, also a PDP member, was arrested on June 1 in Bandhi-Ragura village where 32 structures belonging to tribals were destroyed in an anti-encroachment drive.

Police said a gathering of around 100-150 persons led by Mr. Choudhary and Molvi Makhan Din and some other local leaders gathered at Bandhi-Ragura around 4:00 p.m.

“The assembled persons started raising slogans and protesting against the administration and attempted to march towards the National Highway without lawful permission. The unlawful assembly caused obstruction to public movement, disturbed public peace and tranquility and created a serious law and order situation in the area,” police said.

Despite repeated requests, warnings and instructions by police officers and Tehsildar Khass Jammu Executive Magistrate to disperse peacefully, police said the protesters “did not desist from their illegal activities”.

“Rather, the members of the unlawful assembly were pre-planned and prepared to create a law and order problem and provoke the general public and therefore turned violent and started pelting heavy stones on the police party with criminal intent while the policemen were discharging their official duties,” the police said.

Police said members of the illegal assembly attacked the police party by pelting stones and other deadly missiles with the intention of killing, causing grievous injuries and endangering the lives of policemen.

“As a result, a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) City East Jammu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, an officer from Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station and several other police officials sustained injuries,” the police said.

Meanwhile, Ms Mufti said it was unfortunate that PDP leader and leading social activist Chowdhary “has been jailed for fighting for the rights of a poor marginalized tribal community”.

“Treating him like a criminal just for taking out a peaceful march against the wanton demolition drive in Sidhra sends a chilling negative message to Gujjar Bakerwals who have always stood by India. Talib must be released,” Ms Mufti said.

Published – 07 Jun 2026 22:49 IST