SRINAGAR, Feb 12: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, stated on Wednesday that the fatalities of two individuals in Kathua and Sopore were brought up during his recent discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Abdullah’s remarks followed a day after opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed her disappointment, expecting him to address the incidents during his meeting with Shah.
“The meeting was productive. Various matters were discussed including the killings in Sopore and Kathua. It was stressed that a thorough investigation should be conducted and anyone found culpable must face consequences,” Abdullah, who met Shah in Delhi on Monday, communicated to reporters in Ganderbal.
In the Billawar region of Kathua district on February 4, a 26-year-old individual, who was suspected of militant links, reportedly took his own life amid alleged police harassment. In Sopore, Baramulla district, an Army shooting resulted in the death of a truck driver on February 5 when he allegedly failed to halt his vehicle at a checkpoint.
Following the two incidents, the chief minister remarked that such occurrences “risk alienating the very people whose support is essential for achieving complete normalcy”.
“I have raised these matters with the Union Government and insisted that both incidents be subject to a timely and transparent investigation. The Government in J&K will also initiate its own inquiries,” Abdullah declared in a post on X dated February 6.
During the meeting, Abdullah also mentioned that the restoration of statehood to J&K was discussed with Shah.
“We also covered the upcoming budget session. We are presently functioning under a Union Territory framework, and the Centre has a pivotal role regarding the budget,” he added. (Agencies)
