JAMMU, Feb 4:
Union Minister Farooq Abdullah today said that Army should reopen the alleged Patribal fake encounter case so that “the justice is served”.
“The case will have to be re-opened and justice will have to be done,” he said in response to a question during a function by Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association to felicitate state cricket team for their performance in Ranji Trophy season.
“Army has to relook into the case, because nobody is going to accept that the dismissal of the case is final,” he said.
“I think the Centre may soon reopen the case,” he said.
His son and JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi and raised the issue of Army’s controversial decision to close the case, saying punishment should be meted to those responsible for killing of innocent people.
The Army, on January 23, had closed its probe in the case after acquitting five accused soldiers, saying the evidence recorded could not establish prima facie charges against any of them.
Asked about the way Pakistan handled the issue of arrest of its one truck driver after recovery of drugs from his vehicle, he said, “I point here that there was a driver from Pakistan side, who was carrying drugs. Obviously he has to face the law of the land.”
PoK authorities had suspended both trade and travel on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route on January 17 after the arrest of the Pakistani driver.
PoK officials refused to take back 48 other drivers and vehicles from that side, and also detained 27 Indian drivers and their vehicles, demanding the release of the arrested driver.
The minister said,”It is important for Pakistan to realise that this is not going to do, law will take its course. And they must release our truckers so that they can come home.”
Regarding his change in stand with regard to Narindra Modi, Farooq said, “As far as NC is concerned, NC is not going to join NDA.”
“It (NC) has made its point very clear. Omar has also made it very clear that we are not going away from that (UPA). Therefore there is no question of joining Modi,” Farooq said.
He further said, “it is not for Farooq Abdullah, but the people of India to decide in elections what they want – whether they want a secular government or a communal government.” (agencies)
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