Judicial probe ordered into Kishtwar violence

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said a judicial probe by a retired high court judge was being ordered to establish the facts about last week's communal clashes in Kishtwar.

Omar Abdullah, who reached here Sunday, tweeted: "In order to establish the truth behind the Kishtwar violence and what followed the State Govt has decided to order a Judicial inquiry."

"The inquiry will be held by a retired high court judge in a time-bound manner to establish the facts & share them publicly."

Earlier, Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo told reporters here that he had decided to resign as he did not find it morally right to continue as a judicial probe had been ordered into the Kishtwar violence which claimed three lives.

"I take strong exception to the BJP's statements against me. I want to ask them whether (Gujarat Chief Minister) Narendra Modi resigned after the Godhra violence (in 2002). Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones at others," he said.

A communication from the Raj Bhawan said Governor N.N. Vohra had accepted Kichloo's resignation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been highly critical of Kichloo's role in the Kishtwar violence and blamed him for delaying the deployment of the army in the town resulting in large-scale violence and destruction of property by mobs Friday.

The BJP had also set Kichloo's resignation as a precondition for their participation in the all-party meeting chaired by Omar Abdullah in Jammu.

Kichloo is the sitting member of the ruling National Conference (NC) from Kishtwar constituency in the 87-member state legislative assembly.

Kishtwar is also the home town of Kichloo. He was in his home town Friday when communal clashes broke out there.

Omar Abdullah had earlier tweeted Monday: "I have received Sajad Kichloo's resignation asking to be relieved of his responsibilities pending the outcome of the judicial inquiry."

"I am forwarding the same to the hon. governor with the recommendation that it be accepted."

Reacting to BJP leader Arun Jaitley's statement in the Rajya Sabha that Jammu and Kashmir was not the private property of any single family (an obvious dig at Omar's family), the chief minister said: "Would Jaitley be so kind as to inform Parliament whether the Gujarat Home Minister or MOS Home resigned or even offered to in 2002!"

"3 unfortunate deaths - 1 Hindu, 2 Muslim & we've a judicial inquiry with my Minister resigning. Would the BJP care to recount 2002 response," the chief minister tweeted.

"Oh that's right they can't because their star PM hopeful waited days to call out the army & has yet to apologise. Hypocrites."