Speaker, Members for time bound & fair investigation ]
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 28: Cutting across party lines, the ruling as well as opposition members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today demanded a high level judicial probe into recent assassination attempt on National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, who had a miraculous escape on March 11 when a 63-year old man opened fire on him during a marriage function in Jammu.
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Terming the incident deeply disturbing and a glaring security lapse, the members questioned how an attacker managed to come dangerously close to Z-Plus protected former Chief Minister. They demanded accountability from the concerned Police officers and persons responsible for the security.
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Some members demanded that the attacker be declared as a “terrorist” and handed over an exemplary punishment.
Even as the House was unanimous in condemning the attack, People’s Conference chief Sajjad Lone and PDP’s Wahid Parra also raised a question mark over NC Govt’s own actions, which, according to them, compromise security of VVIPs from opposition parties.
As the House assembled for the day, Salman Sagar and some other National Conference legislators moved an adjournment motion to discuss the attack on Farooq Abdullah.
“The incident represents a grave threat not only to the life and safety of prominent political figures but also to the sanctity of democratic institutions and the rule of law, Such act raises serious concern about the adequacy of security arrangements provided to public representatives and the broader implications for political stability and public confidence in governance,” reads the adjournment motion. The Speaker, however, ensured a peaceful conclusion of the question hour and later allowed a discussion on the incident.
Initiating the discussion, Salman Sagar said that if a person like Farooq Abdullah was not safe, what can be said about others. He demanded a transparent and time bound judicial probe by a sitting High Court Judge to uncover the truth and restore public confidence.
Alleging a conspiracy into the attack, Saifullah Mir of NC questioned the continued silence of the Home Ministry, Police, and the Lt Governor’s office over the incident, lack of security, and absence of any official disclosure about the attackers or their motives. “Why local Police was absent from the spot and why no action has been taken so far against the SHO, SP and SSP?” he asked.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma described Farooq Abdullah as a towering leader beyond religious labels and asserted that there was undoubted security lapse, which must be admitted by all. “Even a common person needs to be protected and it was not a small mistake,”he added, noting that even the Union Government has taken the matter seriously.
BJP’s Surjit Singh Slathia described the incident as an attack on secularism, humanity, and brotherhood. “Such an act is a disgrace, and no matter how strongly we condemn it, it will still not be enough,” he said , adding that a comprehensive investigation must be carried out and the larger conspiracy behind it must also be uncovered.
Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said that despite such a serious lapse, no action, including suspension of any official, has been taken, which raises grave concerns about accountability. “This House must be presented with a transparent, time-bound investigation report to ensure truth and prevent recurrence, because if a leader of Farooq Abdullah’s stature is not safe, it raises serious questions about the security of every citizen in J&K,” she said.
Nizam-ud-Din Bhat of Congress alleged that the attack was a conspiracy against people of J&K and message to all political as well as public representatives that they could be harassed any time.
MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju said that the incident was an apparent outcome of deliberate attempt to trigger communal discord, which needs to be effectively countered.
BJP’s Rajiv Jasrotia said that the incident was definitely a security lapse and attempt to damage communal harmony of the region.
Sajjad Shaheen and Aijaz Jaan of NC, who were accompanying Dr Farooq Abdullah when the attack took place, said that no local Police officer was on the spot and after the accused was overpowered by security men of the VVIPs, no Police vehicle was available there to whisk him to Police Station.
“I was surprised to find that no policeman was there for security purpose at the event where Dy Chief Minister, former Chief Minister, an Ex DGP and other VVIPs were present,” said Aijaz Jaan and urged the Lt Governor to immediately take review of the security cover provided to Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
Describing Farooq Abdullah as a humane and inclusive leader who has stood firmly with the nation, CPI(M) legislator M Y Tarigami said the incident raises serious unanswered questions and may reflect attempts to disturb social harmony. He stressed the need for a transparent investigation with findings shared in the House, while underlining the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, federal values, and unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mubarak Gul and Tanvir Sadiq of NC said that the attacker should be treated as a terrorist and punishment to him should be exemplary.
Pawan Gupta of BJP said that the attacker was apparently a person of diseased mind. He suggested that the individual who saved Farooq Abdullah be honoured with an award for bravery.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone stressed that security must never be compromised or used selectively. Alleging that Governments in past used the security issue for political manoeuvring, he claimed that erstwhile Farooq Abdullah led NC Government refused to provide him security for accompanying funeral procession of his late father who was gunned down by militants.
Wahid Parra of PDP also accused the NC Government of being selective and biased towards opposition leaders in respect of their security issue. Alleging that PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti was not provided accommodation as per her entitlement and category of security, he said that the ruling party also needs course correction.
Nazir Gurezi, Dr Rameshwar Singh, Riyaz Bedar, Shafi Ahmad Wani, Altaf Kaloo, Shoukat Ganai, Bashir Ahmad Veeri and Rafiq Ahmad Naik also spoke and supported the demand for time-bound judicial inquiry.
Winding up over two-hour long discussion, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had interacted with Farooq Abdullah following the incident and expressed confidence that the investigation would be taken to its logical conclusion, with the culprit receiving exemplary punishment.
He said the House had collectively expressed concern and assured that the matter would be pursued and that necessary steps should be taken to prevent recurrence.
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