Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday supported the magisterial inquiry ordered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha into the Ganderbal encounter, saying the investigation would help bring out the truth and ensure transparency.
Speaking to reporters after distributing 124 government job appointment orders under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS), SRO-43 and SRO-94 at the Convention Centre in Jammu, the Chief Minister said a magisterial probe would be faster than a judicial inquiry.
“I would not get myself entangled in the controversy of judicial or magisterial inquiry because it takes a lot of time in instituting a judicial inquiry. First of all, you don’t find a sitting judge so easily (for holding a probe) as the Supreme Court has restricted it (process) to a great extent. Even the availability of a retired judge for the purpose is not that simple or easy,” CM explained the rationale for his opinion.
Emphasising the need for a time-bound investigation, he said: “I want that in this matter, without wasting time, the probe should be held and the truth should be brought to the fore. We should share all the facts with the people. I believe that the course, adopted by the LG (Lieutenant Governor) Sahib in instituting a magisterial inquiry, is correct. Let this inquiry be completed. It will bring all facts to the fore and the people will come to know about all facts (behind this incident).”
Responding to questions about tensions in West Asia and remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding Iran, Abdullah criticised the language used by the American leader.
“First of all, tell me – does the language used by the President of America behove him and his (US President’s) office? The choice of expressions, which cannot be even uttered or repeated by you (media) or me and you (media) will have to censor those (cuss) words in your broadcast. However, the President of America is using that kind of language in one of his social media posts. I believe that he should maintain the dignity of his office and the Oval office,” the Chief Minister shared his contempt for Trump’s use of offensive language on his social media handle.
On the ongoing conflict, Abdullah expressed concern over its global impact and called for peace.
“As far as you’ve referred to war, we all are worried about that matter. More it (war) gets prolonged, the more troubles it will bring to us. That is why as I’ve earlier said – we hope for an early ceasefire bringing an end to this war thus paving way for a conducive, peaceful situation across the globe,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government would review the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme to remove shortcomings and speed up compassionate appointments.
“However, we have noticed that it (RAS) too has some lacunae. There is a good scope for improvement in it. We will revisit it (scheme) to make the process as swift and efficient as possible,” he reassured.
