Abdullah promises truth and reconciliation panel

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said a truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) will be announced in Jammu and Kashmir to probe the militant killings if his party comes to power with a majority.

In March 2011, NC vice president Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister had suggested setting up of a TRC to probe the deaths and destruction in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir, though his suggestion never saw the light of the day.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a party function in Anantnag, senior Abdullah said, “We hope that god brings our party to power strongly, and we don’t have to stand on crutches (referring to coalition).”

“This (probe) will be a great thing that we will announce on the very (first) day when the new government takes over that we will appoint such a commission (TRC) and see to it that the results are brought before the people not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in rest of the world,” he said when asked by reporters whether his government will seek a probe into the 2016 killings.

The NC chief also said that his party wouldn’t support ‘Operation All-out’ launched against the militants.

“How can we support where there is suppression? It is not a question of ‘all out’. We don’t want our people to suffer that they will be beaten in their homes. That has never been part of National Conference’s policy,” he said.