'The Kashmir Files' far from truth: Omar Abdullah
Srinagar, Mar 18: The National Conference on Friday broke its silence on 'The Kashmir Files' saying while the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits was a "stain on Kashmiriyat", the movie was far from the truth as the film makers have ignored the sacrifices of the Muslims and Sikhs who had also suffered from militancy.
Vice President of the party and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said that if 'The Kashmir Files' was a commercial movie, no one has an issue, but if the film makers claim that it is based on reality, then the facts are the other way round.
"When the unfortunate incident of Kashmiri Pandit migration took place, Farooq Abdullah was not the chief minister. Jagmohan was the governor. It was V P Singh's government at the Centre which was supported by the BJP from outside," Abdullah told reporters in Damal Hanji Pora of Kulgam district of South Kashmir.
Abdullah wondered why this fact was kept away from the movie.
"Don't manipulate the truth. It's not the right thing.
"If Kashmiri Pandits have fallen victims to terrorism, we have utmost regret about that, but let us not forget the sacrifices of Muslims and Sikhs who were also targeted by the same gun," he said.
Abdullah said that some of those from the majority community were yet to return.
"Today, there is a need to create an atmosphere where we could bring back all those who had left their homes and not create a communal divide," he said.
The former chief minister said an atmosphere would be created for the return of Kashmiri Pandits.
"But I do not think that those people who have made this movie, want them (Kashmiri Pandits) to return. Through this picture, they want Pandits to remain outside always," he said.
Abdullah later took to twitter and said, "The pain and suffering of 1990 and after can not be undone. The way Kashmiri Pandits had their sense of security snatched from them and had to leave the valley is a stain on our culture of Kashmiriyat. We have to find ways to heal divides and not add to them."
While replying to one of the tweets by a Kashmiri Pandit about the reasons for a long silence, Abdullah reminded him saying "...I've been saying it for years now, both as CM and out of office. Perhaps you weren't paying attention to what I was saying then. I've been a long time advocate of a Truth and Reconciliation commission to look in all that happened from 1990 onwards."
Earlier, in his address, Abdullah said attempts were being made to defame a community across the world.
"A common Kashmiri is not happy with what happened 32 years ago, that people were made to leave the Valley. Today, an impression is being created that all Kashmiris are communal, that all Kashmiris do not bear the people from other religions. What will be achieved by this? Will it make the road easier for their return?
"I am afraid that the hatred which is being created against Kashmiri Muslims today, God forbid, our children studying outside the state, should not bear its brunt," he said.
During his tenure as the chief minister, Abdullah had advocated setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to go into the events unfolding since the onset of militancy.
The pain & suffering of 1990 & after can not be undone. The way Kashmiri Pandits had their sense of security snatched from them & had to leave the valley is a stain on our culture of Kashmiriyat. We have to find ways to heal divides & not add to them. https://t.co/D5vzZ994Z8
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 18, 2022
Actually jenab I’ve been saying it for years now, both as CM & out of office. Perhaps you weren’t paying attention to what I was saying then. I’ve been a long time advocate of a Truth & Reconciliation commission to look in all that happened from 1990 onwards. https://t.co/Iyx2DSNwLB
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 18, 2022
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Karnataka govt decides to constitute SIT to take action on report on COVID-19 'scam'
Bengaluru, Oct 10: The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet sub-committee to take further action on the report by the Justice Michael D' Cunha Commission of Inquiry which investigated alleged irregularities in the purchase of equipment and medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic when the BJP was in power.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In the "partial" report submitted on August 31 in 11 volumes, the commission examined the expenditure to the tune of Rs 7,223.64 crore, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters later, adding, "they have not pinpointed that so much (scale) is misappropriation."
He, however, said the commission has recommended recovery of Rs 500 crore.
The Commission has sought reports from four zones in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts of the state and it's yet to receive them, he said. The "partial" report has been submitted after verifying 55,000 files from the concerned departments.
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The Minister said based on the report, as criminal intent is also involved, it has been decided to constitute an SIT, and also a Cabinet sub-committee for "review and monitoring."
It has also been decided to begin the recovery proceedings immediately and to black list those companies or establishments involved in the wrongdoing.
"Wherever the criminal element is there, SIT will naturally look into it. Apart from that, the Cabinet sub-committee will be assisted by relevant officers to go into details of other malpractices. The details about those involved are not there in this report and it may come in the final report," Patil added.
The Cabinet also decided withdraw 43 criminal cases registered in various police stations in the State.
It also gave its approval for extending by an year the term of the SIT constituted in the Karnataka Lokayukta for investigating the illegalities in mining, with a probe into several cases still pending, he said.
Administrative approval has also been given for construction of "Reshme Bhavana" at an estimated cost of Rs 527.50 crore on 4.25 acres of land owned by the Department of Sericulture at Okalipuram here with entire investment by Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited (KSMCL).
The Cabinet also gave its nod for construction of hi-tech Cocoon market at Shidlaghatta in Chikkaballapura district at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores.
It also decided to create Karnataka Skill Development Corporation under Companies Act, 2013.
