Amid rumours of resignation, CM stresses action against white collar rioters

‘Observe SOP strictly but don’t let 600 men hold 6 million people to ransom’

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Jun 26: In a virtual admonishment of the leadership of Jammu & Kashmir Police---first time in the last 18 months of his government---Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today took a serious note of the phenomenally growing situation of anarchy in “some parts of the Valley” and made it clear that the law enforcement agencies would have to strictly observe Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) but, at the same time, ensure that 600 rioters and their masters are not allowed to hold the population of 6 million people to ransom. Authorities are, subsequently, planning a major crackdown not only against the separatist Hurriyat leaders but also on some top activists of Dukhtaraan-e-Millat and High Court Bar Association.

Realizing the hazards of the lack of accountability and coordination between different institutions and organizations of his government, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today turned tough on the Police leadership and indicated an enough-is-enough posturing. While chairing an emergency meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and top government functionaries, Chief Minister asserted that nobody in Police and armed forces would be allowed to violate SOP as his government was committed to honouring human rights of all unarmed civilians. He ordered a judicial inquiry, to be headed by former judge of J&K High Court and Chairman of State Human Rights Commission Mohammad Basheer-ud-din, into the circumstances leading to the death of two civilians in Sopore in a shootout by CRPF yesterday.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, and Ministers, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Ghulam Hassan Mir, R S Chib, Advisors to the Chief Minister Mubarak Gul and Devender Singh Rana besides Chief Secretary, S S Kapur, Financial Commissioner Home, Samuel Varghese, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Khursheed Ganai and Additional DG, CID, K Rajindra.

Virtually calling an explanation from DGP Kuldeep Khoda, Chief Minister, according to informed sources, desired to know as to why mob mobilization was assuming alarming proportions for the first time in 21 years of insurgency and separatist movement, particularly so in areas falling under the jurisdiction of four Police Stations in downtown Srinagar besides old towns of Sopore and Baramulla. He made it clear that each and every official of the state Police would be accountable for every single incident and strict action would be taken against those found lacking in initiative.

Chief Minister expressed his concern that “sponsored disruption in few localities” was bringing a bad name to the state and the government could not afford deterioration of the situation to the extent of casting shadows on impending Amarnath pilgrimage and an unprecedented, flourishing tourist season. He made it clear that he would no more tolerate absenteeism in government offices, shutdown or no shutdown.

Calling for strict action against the “white color rioters”, Chief Minister directed Police and other agencies of his government to immediately identify everybody involved in encouraging, instigating and financing these rioters. He issued directions that everybody “however influential” be arrested, booked under law and tackled in a legal battle at High Court and Supreme Court of India level. According to informed sources, Dukhtaraan-e-Millat chief, Asiya Andrabi and HCBA President, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, were most likely to be arrested in the next 24 hours. Chief Minister made it clear that his government would engage the best of the country’s lawyers to defend its case against the “white color rioters and financers”. Sources said that action was likely against two of the high profile business families for their alleged involvement in facilitating money laundering and finances to the riot operatives.

While stressing on administrative matters, sources said that Chief Minister also pulled up his Ministerial colleagues for being “mute spectators” to the entire political scene being dominated by “separatists of no representative character” like Syed Ali Shah Geelani. He asserted that the separatists’ propaganda campaign would have to be contested politically by the people who had been elected and enjoyed mandate to shape the situation of peace.

He said that the government could not afford to be complacent against those who wanted to be a law unto themselves and 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, wanted to exploit and misguide the youth of the state.

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