Apprehensions over handing of Guru, but decision lies with president: Omar

Apprehensions over handing of Guru, but decision lies with president: Omar

 

Yash Khajuria                                                            8/18/2011 8:07:56 PM

JAMMU, Aug 18: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that he has ‘apprehensions’ if parliament attack convicts Afzal Guru is hanged and he has conveyed these to the central government. 

‘Having seen the situation as chief minister for the past three years I have certain apprehensions if Afzal Guru is hanged,’ he said at a press conference here. ‘But the decision lies with the president,’ he added. 

Saying he has been against the hanging of Afzal Guru from the very beginning, Abdullah said the execution could disturb peace in Kashmir. ‘My interest is in peace in Kashmir,’ he stressed. 

Union Government has shown seriousness in resolving political issues of Jammu and Kashmir. “Union Home Minister is on record as saying that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India has been in unique circumstances and political issues of the State require a unique approach to address these”, he said adding that he has conveyed his apprehensions and views about the death sentence to Afzal Guru to the Union Government. 

However, he added that the decision in this regard is with the President of India. 

Underlining corruption as huge concern for the people in the country, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that while framing a strategy to eradicate this menace, the role of Parliament and its constitutional position cannot be subverted. 

In reply to a question, Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that the Government of India would give due weightage to the recommendations of Interlocutors elaborating that the “Laws are enacted in the Parliament and Draft Lok Pal Bill prepared after elaborated discussion and deliberations by the Government and civil society members is before the Parliament now”, he said asserting that Parliament should be allowed to do its job. He said Parliament Members enjoy the support and trust of more than ½ billion of people of the country. 

He said it is amazing when we hear people saying that they respect the Parliament and not the Parliament Members. 

In reply to another question about the attitude of this party regarding Kulgam rape allegation, Omar Abdullah said that PDP is always in search of occasions to create law and order problems and disturb the peace in the State. “It is in this pursuit they staged dharna at Kulgam, exploited public emotions and created law and order problem before the allegation was enquired upon”, he said now truth has been digged out and it is up to this party to change this kind of approach. 

He said that Vigilance Commission Bill is being amendment in the State as various civil society members are gave new suggestions and in the light of those suggestions the amendment procedure are being farmed. He said that a list of corrupt officials is being prepared and the Chief Secretary has been entrusted the task in this regard. 

In reply to another question, Omar Abdullah said that an enquiry is being established to ascertain the causes for sinking of recently constructed bridges near Purmandal and another area.