CM does a balancing act, says miscreants will not be spared

Govt orders inquiry into Sopore killings

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, June 26: Even as the state government ordered inquiry into Friday’s Sopore firing incident, chief minister, Omar Abdullah, today said that his government would not spare those who were found involved in the killings of civilian youths.

Referring to the spate of violent protests in Srinagar, he said the state government would identify the “miscreants”, who are hell-bent to ruin peace in the valley, and would deal with them “severely”.

Presiding over a meeting of ministers and senior civil and police officers at his Gupkar residence today, the chief minister expressed concern over the recent spate of killings of youth allegedly in police action.

According to sources, the chief minister castigated officers of police and security forces for failing to deal with the protestors “without resorting to violent means”.

Stating that the government would not tolerate any human rights violations, Omar asked senior police officers to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOP), and exercise utmost restraint while dealing with the protestors.

“Killing of innocents will not be tolerated in any case,” he said.

Maintaining that troops and police agencies should cautiously deal with the situation, Omar warned of severe action against the violators of human rights.

Omar said that the government was closely monitoring the present situation in the valley.
He said that the government was ready to give any kind of sacrifice, but would not allow people to take the law into their hands.

Omar directed the police officials, present in the meeting, to immediately identify the elements who were trying to ruin peace in the valley.

“Identify these miscreants and bring them before public after gathering evidences against them,” he said.

The chief minister also advised his ministerial colleagues to keep a close eye on the happenings in the valley.

According to sources, the ministers and officials, present in the meeting, ensured Omar that all those elements, who were damaging peace in the valley, would be unveiled and brought to book in accordance with the laws.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that his government is concerned, conscious and vigilant. He said while no Human Rights Violations will be tolerated the perpetuators, instigators and disruptive elements will be dealt with severely. He sensitized the administration to take proactive preventive measures as also be careful that no innocent civilian causalities happen.

Stating that the death of any innocent civilian was a cause of deep concern for the government, he, however, said that the government could not afford to be complacent against those who disturb the peace and tranquility in the state.

He said his government was committed to maintaining peace and order and would take strong measures against those elements who, for their own political considerations and vested interests, were trying to exploit and misguide the youth of the state.

The chief minister asked the troops to exercise utmost restraint while dealing with the civilians and those found guilty of human rights violations would be dealt with strictly as per law.

While taking stock of the situation, the meeting took some important decisions to fix accountability and take appropriate measures to deal with the law and order situation effectively.

The meeting was attended by deputy chief minister, Tara Chand, cabinet ministers, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Ghulam Hassan Mir, RS Chib, advisors to the chief minister Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana and the chief secretary, SS Kapur, financial commissioner Home, Samuel Verghese, DGP, Kuldeep Khuda, principal secretary to the chief minister Khursheed Ganai and additional DG, CID, K. Rajindra.

Meanwhile, the state government today appointed Justice (retired) Syed Bashir-ud-Din, chairperson, J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to conduct an enquiry into the Sopore killings.

The commission would enquire into the causes of death of two youths - Shakeel Ahmad Ganai son of Abdul Aziz Ganai of Lalad Sopore and Firdous Ahmad Khan son of Nazir Ahmad Khan of Ningli Sopore - in firing incident at Krankshivan Sopore, in Baramulla districts yesterday. The commission would also identify the persons responsible for the killings, and it would fix responsibility for use of excessive force, if any.

The commission has been asked to submit the report within a period of one month.