Suspended cop hurls shoe at Omar

This is for the first time that such an incident has happened at the Bakshi Stadium during an event like Independence Day. However, the shoe missed the chief minister by a whisker. The incident occurred after Omar had unfurled the national flag and was about to take the salute.

The suspended head constable, Abdul Ahad Jan, in civilian clothes, was seated just three metres behind the chief minister in the third row of the VIP stand.

Pro-freedom slogans
After throwing the brown colour leather shoe, Ahad raised pro-freedom slogans. He also tried to hoist a black flag. Those inside the VIP stand, including ministers, legislators and senior bureaucrats were shocked by the incident and initially there was a confusion about what had happened.

Following the incident, the chief minister’s security personnel swung into action and nabbed Ahad. He was taken out of the stadium and handed over to the police for interrogation.

A visibly upset chief minister remained cool and went ahead with the programme. He addressed the gathering and took salute at the march past.

Reacting to the incident, Omar said: “I am not shocked by the incident. Rather than throwing stones, hurling of shoes is good as it does not cause bloodshed.” 

The chief minister also made an appeal for peace in the holy month of Ramzan. “Let there be no stone pelting, tear gassing, firing and killing,” he said. While welcoming the prime minister’s proposal to grant autonomy for Kashmir, Omar urged the Centre to honour its earlier commitments.

Criminal case
A police spokesman said Ahad belongs to Ajas in Bandipora district. “Ahad is mentally unsound and is currently facing charges in a criminal case. He was arrested by the Parimpora police and was later granted bail,” he added.

The police spokesman said Ahad had been arrested earlier also in a robbery case by the Shergarhi-Srinagar police in 2008 and that he has been under psychiatric treatment.

Fifteen personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir security wing were suspended after the incident and Director-General of Police Kuldip Khoda has ordered an inquiry.
The stadium has come under rocket attacks a number of times earlier during the days of militancy.

Earlier, a Republic Day function was disrupted and Lt Gen D D Saklani, the then advisor to governor, had to abandon his speech after rockets hit the stadium.
Security arrangements

On Sunday, the authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure a peaceful I-Day function. The entire Bakshi stadium was completely sealed by security forces, who had also taken position at buildings around the stadium.

Those entering the stadium had to undergo frisking at least at four places and only those, carrying the special cards issued by the security forces, were allowed inside.
The attendance in the stadium was comparatively smaller than last year. No cultural programme was organised.

With Sunday’s incident, Abdullah joins the league of Home Minister P Chidambaram, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, former United States president George W Bush and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao who have had shoes flung at them.