Omar breaks down in Assembly over youth's killing

J&K chief minister advocates gradual withdrawal of AFSPA

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah broke down in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday when the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) cornered him over the killing of a youth in fresh violence in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town.

“This is why I am vehemently raising the issue of partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) so that the erring forces personnel do not go scot-free,” Omar told Legislative Assembly while speaking on the statement made by Law Minister in the House informing the House of the killing of a boy in Baramulla.

One person was killed and four were injured when security forces opened fire at demonstrators in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town on Tuesday.

Locals told Deccan Herald over the phone that troops of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles opened fire when protests broke out in Baramulla, 55 km from here, against alleged excesses by the Army.

A youth died on the spot. He was identified as 24-year-old Tahir Rasool Sofi of Ganaihamam. According to eyewitnesses, he was hit by a bullet on the head.

Responding to the protest and walk-out by PDP and dismay expressed by all the members of the House over the incident, the chief minister said he is himself full with anger “but is not in a position to walk out like opposition members.”

“You cannot feel the anger I am boiling with and the difficulty I am facing to speak at this point in time,” he said . As chief minister, he has to give so many answers for the acts of omission and commission of others.

“I have to seek apology for the actions, I am not responsible for nor anywhere related to these. I am being asked to answer the question of Afzal Guru, return of mortal remains to his family, use of unnecessary force by the Army. I have to give reply for every bullet they fire on civilians. What reply I have for my people in these matters,” Omar questioned and said that when his people suffer it pains him deep.

“But I will get the reply from those who are concerned with such incidents. I will seek justice for my people,” he said.

He will continue to advocate gradual removal of AFSPA from the areas where there is no need for it and that of the Army. 

“I have not put this issue on the back burner. It is alive and we are continuously engaged with the Central government on this issue,” he said and added that a woman from North-East area (Irom Sharmola) has been on a hunger strike for last 12 years demanding revocation of the AFSPA.

He underscored the need for working out amicable solution to political issues in Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the state. He said that the task is tough “but not impossible.”

“To move forward with the notion of a solution having approval of each and every citizen is just to live in a make-belief world,” he and hoped that the Union Government would address both domestic and international aspects of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir and move close to some befitting solution.

“The Jammu and Kashmir has been reflected in the Shimla Agreement and there is need to engage Pakistan in a dialogue process,” Omar said. “Neither gun nor money is answer to this issue.”

Omar abdullah: This is why I am vehemently raising the issue of partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) so that the erring personnel do not go scot-free. But I will get the reply from those who are concerned with such incidents.