Omar terms Gool killings unacceptable, speaks to Shinde

Condemning the deaths due to firing by security forces in Shaida Gool village as "unacceptable", Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Immediately after the incident, Abdullah spoke to union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who ordered a probe into the incident and assured that any use of excessive force or irresponsible action will be dealt with strictly, an official statement issued here said.

The state government has also ordered a magisterial enquiry to determine the exact sequence of events. On Abdullah's instructions, a high-level team which includes Minister of State for Revenue and Relief Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Minister for State for Home Sajad Ahmed Kichloo, and state police chief Ashok Prasad is camping at the spot

The district magistrate of Ramban has also been shifted and ordered to report to the general administration department for further duties.

Condemning this incident, Abdullah said: "It is unfortunate that in spite of costly lessons learnt in 2008 and 2010, some amongst us are determined to repeat past mistakes and use force against unarmed protesters. Such incidents risk throwing the entire peaceful atmosphere in jeopardy.

"It is highly unacceptable to shoot at unarmed protesters just because they were reportedly protesting manhandling of an Imam of their area," he said. "There is no justification or rationalization of this deplorable act. This shocking act warrants and demands the severest of condemnation in the strongest possible terms.

"Justice will be done and those involved in the ghastly incident will be brought to book," assured Abdullah, and appealed to people to maintain communal harmony and not to be carried away by emotions.

According to official figures, four people were killed in the firing incident at Shaida Gool village while 43 others were injured. of the injured, 25 were admitted to Ramban district hospital, two were admitted in SMHS hospital in Srinagar and 16 in Government Medical College hospital in Jammu.

Among the injured, seven, including a BSF trooper, sustained bullet injuries in the incident.