SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed the recent incidents in Kathua and Baramulla as “highly unfortunate” and has taken up the matter with the Union Government, urging a time-bound and transparent inquiry into both cases.
I have seen the reports of excessive use of force & harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear. Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 6, 2025
The Chief Minister, in a post on microblogging platform X, expressed concern over the alleged excessive use of force and harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar, which reportedly led to his suicide, and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, who was shot by the army under unclear circumstances in Baramulla.
“I have seen the reports of excessive use of force & harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear,” Abdullah wrote.
“Both these incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have happened. J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation of & partnership with the local population. Incidents like these risk alienating the very people who we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” he added.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need for accountability, stating that he has taken up the issue with the Union Government and insisted on fair, transparent, and time-bound inquiries into both incidents. He also confirmed that the J&K Government will conduct its own investigations.
