Police in Jammu & Kashmir have arrested three miscreants involved in murderous assault on three persons boarding a Kashmir-bound truck around midnight at Udhampur on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The Opposition members staged protests in the Assembly followed by walkout over the issue compelling the Government to issue a statement.
The Opposition National Conference (NC) legislator Majeed larmi told the Assembly on Saturday that three persons belonging to his home shalibugh constituency in south Kashmir were travelling to Kashmir from Jammu during the previous night when they were waylaid by a group of miscreants who attempted to burn them alive in the truck. Entire Opposition condemned the incident and termed it as an attempt to vitiate the communal atmosphere in the State.
After brief ruckus over the issue, Horticulture Minister Abdur Rahman Veeri read out a statement in the Assembly saying three culprits have been arrested and manhunt has been launched to nab their accomplices. He said Director General of Police would personally visit Udhampur to monitor the situation. Veeri said that a truck bearing registration number JK03D-1142 was reportedly intercepted by a gang of youth in Udhampur periphery and set afire around midnight. The victims — Showkat Ahmad, Zahid Ahmad and Rameez Ahmad are from Uranhal and Butengoo villages of the south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Veeri said the police intervened almost immediately and rescued two people - both with burn injuries while driver of the vehicle escaped unhurt. The Minister said the two injured were rushed to hospital in Udhampur and later to Jammu for specialised treatment. He said three accused identified as Bala Bahadur Singh, Sunder Singh and Sunil Singh were arrested and police have launched a manhunt to nab their accomplices.
He said an attempt murder case has been registered and stern action would be taken against the accused.
Opposition members Ali Muhammad Sagar and Akbar lone accused the Government of deliberately hiding the real identity of the accused. “The Minister is reluctant to reveal the identity in order to save the coalition partner of his party”, Sagar alleged.
lone said the incident occurred a few hours after the State legislature adopted a unanimous resolution for safeguarding communal harmony and defeating extremist forces in the State.
“This is a conspiracy”, he said. Independent legislator shouted anti-Government slogans and interrupted the Minister while he read out the statement.
“Yesterday a drama was staged in the Assembly to pass a resolution for communal harmony. This (assault on truckers) is the outcome of that resolution. The Assembly has become the graveyard of the sentiments of Kashmiris”, he said.
The Opposition members later staged a walkout.
The Speaker Kavinder Gupta later adjourned the Assembly sine die. The session was crucial as several members had tabled private member’s bills to repeal a law that criminalises trade of bovine animals and possession and sale of beef in the embattled State. The bills were tabled but did not come up for discussion. The Opposition NC and Sheikh Rashid accused the coalition Government for sabotaging introduction of the bill.