Amid hullabaloo over Shopian firing incident in the State Assembly, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday claimed the State Government will take the probe ordered in the case to its logical conclusion.
The BJP, alliance partner in the State Government, however, termed the response as ‘knee jerk’ reaction and demanded immediate withdrawal of FIR lodged in the case.
Another BJP MLA Ravinder Raina speaking to reporters outside the Assembly on Monday claimed, “What the Army did was an act of self-defence, for the security of the nation and as per law. It was extremely important and much needed…this was very important…the Army did the right thing.”
Raina said that Pakistan was trying to fuel violence in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Pakistan is making repeated attempts to worsen the situation in the State…attempts are being made to snatch weapons of our soldiers…attacks are being carried out on our soldiers…soldiers are being injured…vehicles of our soldiers were damaged…in such circumstances our soldiers won’t worship them,” he said.
According to the FIR, the charges of murder and ‘attempt to murder’ have been invoked against the Army.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 336 (endangering life).
Meanwhile, outside the State Assembly Director General of Police Dr SP Vaid clarified no officer has been named in the First Information Report so far.
Interacting with the mediapersons at police headquarters, DGP maintained registration of FIR is the start of an investigation process. During the course of investigation we will listen to everyone, including the Indian Army, eyewitnesses and families of those killed in the firing.
When asked what action will follow against the Army officer named in the FIR, DGP maintained, “As you are saying it is not that any officer has been named in the case. FIR only says so and so unit of the Army headed by such and such officer was there and now it is a matter of investigation what were the circumstances under which they were pelted with stones and firing took place. It is all a subject matter of investigation, he added.
Meanwhile, winding up the discussion on an Adjournment Motion on these killings in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said nobody countenances such killings which only impairs and slow down the political process in the State. She said immediately after the incident took place an FIR was lodged and the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian was ordered to conduct a magisterial probe and come up with its report within 15 days.
The Chief Minister said during her Unified Headquarters meetings she has been stressing upon all security agencies to exercise maximum restraint and ensure that no collateral damage takes place while operating.
Mehbooba Mufti said incidents like Shopian remind us that we cannot afford confrontation at any level and there is an urgent need to engage in a meaningful dialogue at all levels. She said there is no alternative to dialogue within the State and between India and Pakistan because it is the people of Jammu & Kashmir who are facing the brunt of this acrimony and paying in terms of human and material losses.
Earlier, several members including Leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mian Altaf Ahmad, MY Tarigami, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, RS Pathania, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Bashir Ahmad Dar and Pawan Gupta participated in the discussion.