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| Why this dichotomy Mr Chief Minister? | | AFSPA not applicable to state police force | | Early Times Report
jammu, Sept 6: The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has got tough over Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Only yesterday he suggested tangible measures for withdrawal of the ‘draconian legislation.’ Omar won many an admirer for his `bold' statement. The statement reflected his concern over for abuse of human rights at the hands of the Army and the Para-Military forces. But why is the Chief Minister, who also happens to be the Home Minister of the State silent over violations by the state police?
By seeking repeal or amendment of the AFSPA, Omar Abdullah basically wants to bring erring soldiers of the Army and Para-military forces to justice. Section 6 of the Act makes it mandatory for the government to seek sanction to prosecution from New Delhi for initiating criminal proceedings against a soldier involved in crimes.
The state government has sought sanction to prosecution in hundreds of cases since inception of militancy. However, sanction has not been accorded in a single case till date. Soldiers involved in killing innocent people in fake encounters for reward have escaped penal action because of AFSPA.
But for bringing the erring police men of the state force to justice, the state government need not seek sanction from New Delhi. The AFSPA does not apply to the state police. However, sanction under Cr PC has to be sought from the concerned ministry (Home Ministry).
Omar Abdullah has the distinction of holding the Home portfolio as well. His reluctance to bring the police men to justice only exposes his tall claims of seeking justice for the people. On May 28, a police officer shot dead three youth in Anchidoora, Anantnag in cold blood. Scores of persons saw him pumping the fatal bullets into the bodies of the slain youth. This incident should have shaken the Home Minister of the state. But every possible step was taken to hush up the case. The FIR filed by the police blames unidentified gunmen for the killing.
A police man shot dead a 25-year-old girl at Lachmanpora, Batmaloo on July 5. A youth saw him firing the deadly shot. The body of the girl was taken for autopsy. The police tried to persuade the people accompanying the body to put the blame on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men. Interestingly there were no CRPF men posted in the area on that day. The Home Minister did not order the killer constable's arrest as demanded by the people.
The government must get credit for putting a BSF commandant and a soldier on trial in Zahid Farooq's case. But the police officer who smashed the head of 17-year-old Wamiq Farooq on January 31 near Bohri Kadal (Down Town) Srinagar has been exonerated of criminal liability.
Omar cannot bring Army men and Para-Military personnel to justice. Agreed, but he is the person who can take, rather has to take erring police men to justice. Until that is done, Omar will be accused of nurturing double standards. |
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