Restoring J&K people's faith in democracy our top priority: Congress
Srinagar, July 3: The Congress, which held a marathon daylong session of its leaders from across Jammu and Kashmir here on Tuesday, said its priority was to restore people's faith in the democratic process.
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ambika Soni held daylong deliberations with around 100 party leaders and legislators.
Stressing that the Congress' policy was not to damage any other political party, state Congress unit chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir said: "Right now our priority is to restore the faith of the people in the democratic process."
"During the last two years, developments have taken place which have shaken the confidence of the people in the democratic process. All of us need to work for restoration of that confidence among the people," he said.
Mir said that Governor's rule can never become a viable alternative to a democratically elected government.
"We appeal the state governor to ensure that all necessary steps are taken so that a democratic government assumes power in the state," he said.
Congress leaders have already scotched rumours that the party was working to join hands with the Peoples Democratic Party for forming an alternative government in the state.
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Goa nightclub fire: Co-owner Ajay Gupta's police remand extended by four days
Panaji (PTI): A Goa court on Thursday extended by four days the police remand of Ajay Gupta, co-owner of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a devastating fire on December 6 killed 25 persons.
Gupta was arrested from New Delhi on December 10. A court in Mapusa had remanded him in police custody for seven days at the time.
Gupta was presented before the lower court, which sent him to four-day police custody as his initial remand was expiring, his advocate Rohan Desai told reporters.
"Gupta had complained about back pain. The court ordered his medical examination, after which he was allowed use of a mattress in custody. He was examined by a specialised doctor at Goa Medical College and Hospital near here," the lawyer said.
Twenty-five persons, including 20 staff members and five tourists, were killed in the major blaze at the nightclub at Arpora in North Goa around midnight of December 6.
Gupta had, during the day, filed an bail application.
So far, eight persons have been arrested in connection with the case, including Gupta, and two other owners - Gaurav Luthra and his brother Saurabh - who were deported from Thailand.
Five other staffers of the nightclub arrested in the case are Rajiv Modak (Corporate General Manager), Priyanshu Thakur (Gate Manager), Rajveer Singhania (Bar Manager), Vivek Singh (General Manager) and Bharat Karan Singh Kohli (employee).
A Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against Surinder Kumar Khosla, another owner of the nightclub who is a British citizen, police said.
