Don’t politicise Kathua killings: Omar to Opposition
In a direct attack during the Legislative Assembly session on Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah targeted Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma and the police authorities for allowing the latter to visit Kathua, where three persons were allegedly killed by terrorists, while preventing Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary from visiting the grieving families.
The killings rocked the Legislative Assembly, leading to demands from several MLAs for a discussion on the deteriorating security situation in the Jammu division. Non-BJP MLAs also raised concerns about the killings in Kathua. The issue triggered a heated debate after the CM’s comments about Sunil Sharma’s visit to Billawar in Kathua district, the site of the killings.
The CM accused political figures of attempting to politicise the issue. “What, how and when it (the killings) happened is under investigation. It will not be correct to make any comments on the issue here,” Abdullah stated.
He went on to criticise the authorities for allowing LoP Sunil Sharma to visit Kathua, saying, “I am surprised that LoP was allowed to visit Kathua, but the Deputy CM was stopped from going there. If the situation was sensitive, how was the LoP given permission to visit?”
Abdullah clarified that his question was directed at those in authority who granted permission to LoP Sharma, not the LoP himself. He expressed concern over the situation in Kathua, condemning the innocent killings.
Outside the Assembly, Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary condemned the restrictions placed on his visit to Kathua. “It was our responsibility to visit Kathua to express our condolence to the families. I was stopped from visiting the area, and I had to cancel the programme. We will not politicize the deaths,” Choudhary said.
Choudhary also criticised the BJP, claiming, “MLAs of the saffron party, including the LoP, were allowed by those sitting in authority. This is why the police should come under the control of the government in J&K. If we are controlling the police, then there will be accountability.”
