Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for an impartial inquiry into an alleged security breach at his home in Jammu last week, PTI reported. A man was shot dead on Saturday morning after he allegedly forcibly entered Abdullah’s home.
“There are different theories emerging in the media and versions of the family and friends of the deceased young man,” the National Conference leader said after meeting Singh in New Delhi. “Only an impartial inquiry will put to rest all the speculations by bringing the truth to fore.”
Murad Ali Shah, who was unarmed, was shot dead by Central Reserve Police Force personnel after he breached the main gate at Abdullah’s home. About 200 people, mostly Shah’s relatives and acquaintances, protested outside a government hospital in Jammu and demanded an inquiry. They allegedly did not let doctors perform a postmortem examination for several hours.
Following the protests, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party also demanded that an impartial and speedy probe be conducted and that CCTV footage be released. BJP state spokesperson Anil Gupta said the “cold-blooded” murder in a VIP residence raises many questions. The next day, the state government ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death.
Abdullah told Singh that Shah’s family members should be informed about the circumstances leading to his death.
Earlier, the National Conference also sought a high-level probe by the National Investigation Agency. The party’s provincial spokesperson, Madan Mantoo, issued a statement saying the Centre must conduct an “independent and impartial inquiry by a team deputed by the Ministry of Home Affairs”.
Mantoo said the probe must cover all aspects, including how a car was able to gain entry into the supposedly highly-secured residence with minimum damage to the main gate. “The security lapse needs to be probed expeditiously so that the truth comes to the fore,” he added.
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