As the storm brews in the Valley over CISF firing on the mob, security officials in New Delhi took a hard stand against Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah by claiming that the CISF, which is a Central armed police force, enjoys immunity similar to the provisions contained in the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Legal experts in the Union home ministry has also opined that sanction by the Central government is necessary before the state government can prosecute any member of the armed forces for his action discharged during duty.
The Centre, however, is trying hard to avoid a confrontation with the Omar Abdullah government on the issue for fear of a string of protests, fuelled by the separatists, resurging in the Valley once again. The state, which has witnessed unprecedented peace in the last few months, has been asked to keep alert against any law and order problem erupting over the next few days.
Mr Abdullah on Tuesday said there will be no protection under the AFPSA for the five CISF personnel arrested for opening fire on protesters at the NHPC power plant at Uri in north Kashmir in which one boy was killed. The home ministry has decided to wait for a final report from CISF DG N.R. Das, who will meet home secretary R.K. Singh on Wednesday before taking a final view.
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J&K govt may reclaim nhpc power projects
Age CORRESPONDENT
SRINAGAR, Jan. 3
The Jammu and Kashmir government, faced with mounting pressure from the Opposition, the separatists and the civil society groups, is seriously considering the proposition to reclaim various hydroelectric projects in the state from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The Cabinet sub-committee (CSC) constituted by the government to look into various issues arising from the terms and conditions of entrustment of these projects with the NHPC met in Jammu on Tuesday.
The Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by minister of finance Abdur Rahim Rather, held threadbare discussion on various aspects of the issue and finalised its deliberations, an official statement issued in the winter capital said. It added the report will be submitted to the State Cabinet shortly.