'Harassed' by cops, girl jumps into river in Kashmir

A college student jumped into the Chenab river in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir after she was harassed by police for having tea with a young man who studied with her, locals alleged Monday. The body of the girl, in her 20s, has still not been recovered.

Rashida Bano was having tea with Najab Din at a tea stall on the bank of Chenab in Pul Doda town, some 165 km from here, Sunday.

Locals say some policemen came to the stall around 3 p.m. and started harassing the two friends. The boy was thrashed and Bano was threatened that her story would be broadcast in the entire area.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Bano jumped into the river.

The incident led to protests by the local people against what they called the "Talibanisation" of the state police.

According to a senior police officer here, a policeman has been placed under suspension pending inquiry.