Hope probe into Nowgam PS blast ascertains its cause: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed hope that the probe into the Nowgam police station accidental blast will provide answers to the questions surrounding the unfortunate incident that claimed nine lives.
Speaking to reporters after visiting a hospital here to inquire about those injured in the accidental blast on Friday, Abdullah said it is unfortunate that many people lost their precious lives and several others were injured.
"The investigations are on to ascertain its cause and why it happened. I hope people will get answers, because it should not happen. Such a huge quantity of explosives was brought here, in which conditions was it transported and stored, and how was it being dealt with, we will gradually get answers to all these questions," he said.
The CM expressed sympathies and condolences to all those families who lost their loved ones.
Nine people -- five personnel from the police department and four civilians -- were killed, and 32 others sustained injuries in an accidental blast in Nowgam police station.
On the investigations into the Delhi blast and the "white collar" terror module case, Abdullah advocated stringent punishment for all those involved, but urged that innocent civilians should not be harmed.
"I raised the issue yesterday at the North Zone Chief Minister's conference as well. Union Home Minister was there, Union Home Secretary, CMs of north zone, governors, LGs, were there. I appealed to them to not see every citizen of J-K, especially every Kashmiri Muslim, with suspicion," he said.
Last week, Abdullah said that those behind the Delhi blast should be given the strictest punishment, but emphasised that the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be branded as sympathisers of terrorism.
A blast in an explosives-laden car, which was being driven by Dr Umar Nabi, who hailed from south Kashmir's Pulwama, near the Red Fort in Delhi killed 15 people and injured several others on November 10.
Abdullah said while those involved in the module, especially in the Delhi blast, be arrested and given stringent punishment, "innocent people, who have no connection with it and have always raised their voice against violence, should not be brought into this ambit".
The chief minister expressed hope that the Centre will pay heed to what he said.
Asked about providing compensation to the families of the victims of the Nowgam blast, Abdullah said the government has already announced ex-gratia from the CM's relief fund.
"For the structural damage, I have talked to the MLAs, a case is being prepared and whatever we can give according to the procedure, we will, and the rest, because the blast took place in the police station, it is hoped that these house owners should get relief from the funds available with the Home Department and with the LG," he said.
Asked if the government will provide a job to the family of the tailor, Mohammad Shafi Parray, who lost his life in the blast, Abdullah said his kin should get the job.
"There used to be SRO (Statutory Rules and Orders) for such cases, now its name has been changed, but the scheme is the same. A government job is provided as compensation to the families of those killed in such incidents. I will tell the government officers to process the case for the tailor's family and as soon as it comes to us, we will approve it," the CM added.
During his visit to the hospital, he reviewed the medical condition of the injured and interacted with the doctors and attendants.
Calling for the best possible treatment, he said, "Every injured individual must receive the utmost care. Their wellbeing is our immediate priority."
Abdullah said he is grateful to the hospital for reaching out to the injured immediately after the blast.
"They did not wait for a phone call... saw the blast through their window, took out their ambulances, and reached the spot before anyone else, and took the injured from there. Many of the injured are in their hospital, four are in ICU, I hope all of them get well and go home," he added.
Earlier, Abdullah visited the families of Aijaz Afzal Mir at HMT Zainakote, Mohammad Amin Mir at Bemina, and Showkat Ahmad Bhat at Qamarwari '? all members of FSL team, Suhail Ahmad Rather at Natipora (revenue department chowkidar), and Mohammad Shafi Paray at Wanabal (tailor).
The CM expressed his deep sorrow over the irreparable loss and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace in heaven. He also prayed for strength and forbearance for the families to bear the loss.
Expressing profound grief, the CM said the tragic incident has taken away dedicated individuals who were serving the people with sincerity and courage.
"Their loss is a loss for all of Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah said.
He assured the families that the Government stands firmly with them, adding, "We will ensure every possible support to the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable pain."
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Women's quota bill would have ensured defeat of democracy, Constitution: Aaditya Thackeray
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday said that the passage of the women's quota bill would have ensured a "total defeat of democracy", alleging that the legislation, linked with a delimitation exercise, was a political tool designed to reduce the voice of states.
Thackeray, in a post on X, claimed that the Bill would have amended the Constitution for the political means of the ruling regime to increase seats, reduce the voice of many states and enable the gerrymandering of constituencies to ensure unfair victories.
"The very amendment that would have ensured the total defeat of democracy and the Constitution in India stands rejected by the unity of the Opposition MPs," he wrote.
The legislation should have been called "Delimitation to ensure unfair victory Bill", the former minister said, adding that there was a genuine need to enable 33 per cent reservation for women in the current number of seats.
"Now, it is up to the government to ensure that it is implemented in the 543 seats of the Lok Sabha for the 2029 elections and all elections across India, if that is the real intent of the government," he wrote.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats was defeated on Friday in the Lower House.
While 298 members voted in support of the Bill, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the Bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
According to the Constitution Amendment Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to a maximum of 850 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
