Omar seeks resignation of BJP ministers over statements, actions on Kathua Gang rape case

Srinagar: National Conference Working President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Wednesday sought the resignations of BJP Ministers Chowdhry Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga over their statements and actions over Kathua rape case and stringent action against Jammu Bar Association President B S Salthaia for threatening the lawyer of the victim family and the police
After attending his party’s core group meeting presided over by Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while talking to reporters said ” the action against the BJP Ministers Chowdhry Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga is of paramount importance for us as their words in public rallies at Kathua and a formal demand before the Chief Minister for the transfer of the investigation of Kathua gang rape case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) emboldened lawyers in Kathua to obstruct the legal process in the premises of the Kathua district Jail. We also demand stern action against the President Jammu Bar Association B S Salathia who not only threatened the lawyer of the victim’s family but also threatened to pick up AK 47 rifle and grenades to obstruct the police investigation and the legal process in the court. Had any youth in Kashmir publicly pronounced intents to pick up AK 47 rifle and grenades the government would have slapped PSA on him after pushing him in jail”.
In reply to a question Omar said sacking the two ministers of BJP on their controversial and objectionable role in the investigation of the Kathua gang rape case is the domain of the Chief Minister but not the Prime Minister of the country. Chief Minister will have to act the way she acted against Haseeb Drabu who obviously had not committed any serious offence. Omar also welcomed the statement of the Tourism Minister Tasaduq Mufti but asked him that if he says PDP is a partner of BJP in committing crimes for which Kashmiris would even offer their blood then he has no right to occupy the office of a cabinet minister. He said not words but actions of the PDP leaders particularly the Chief Minister would prove their sincerity in furthering the cause of the deliverance of justice to Kathua gang rape victim Asifa