Srinagar, Nov 21: The Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Saturday said government was waiting for the final investigation report by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Shopian double rape and murder case to bring truth to the fore and punish the culprits.
“We are waiting for the report by the CBI. The government will bring the truth to the fore in Shopian case and punish the culprits responsible for the heinous crime,” Sagar told a press conference here.
Responding to a question that a New Delhi based newspaper, quoting CBI sources, had today reported that the agency had “concluded” that the Shopian victims, Neelofar, 22, and her sister-in-law Aasiya Jan, 17, “died of drowning and that the two were neither raped nor murdered,” Sagar said, “We should not rush to the conclusions. The CBI has not presented the report yet.”
The case is presently being monitored by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which has asked the CBI to complete the probe by December 14 and present the report in the Court. It has also directed the investigating agency to present challan in the case.
Asked why was the government delaying action against the doctors who had presented fudged medical reports, passing them as those of the victims, Sagar said, “Let the report come. Everything will follow.”
The bodies of Aasiya and Neelofar were found on May 29 near Rambiar Nallah in Shopian town. The government had earlier handed over the case to the Special Investigation team of JK police to establish the reality.
The case took a new turn when a New Delhi-based newspaper, quoting excerpts from the CBI’s Forensic Science Laboratory, reported that the vaginal swabs of the victims had been fudged and those sent to the laboratory were of some other women. Following the reports the government handed over the case to CBI after seeking permission from the High Court. Later the CBI exhumed the bodies of the victims to take fresh samples for further investigation.
Earlier, Sagar, who was here for past 10 days heading the functioning of the winter secretariat, said he travelled to all the districts to see the problems faced by people. Asked about the long power cuts in the non-metered as well as metered areas in Kashmir, the minister said the Power Development Department had been asked to come up with a power schedule in coming two days.
“The (non-availability of continuous) power supply continues to be a problem in Kashmir but we are trying to address it,” said Sagar who also hold ministry for Rural Development and Panchayats.
He said nationalized banks operating in the state were not cooperating in providing loans to the unemployed youth in Kashmir to set up their own ventures. The government will take the issue with the central government, he said.
About National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sagar said so far employment worth Rs 75 crore had been generated in the state compared to last year’s employment generation of Rs 10 crore. There are more than 6706 villages in the state and authorities have to ensure that a minimum of one work under the scheme was taken in each village.

ALTAF BABA ADDS FROM VARMUL:
Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Sagar on Saturday reiterated that his party will play an important role in the resolution of Kashmir issue
“In the final settlement of Kashmir issue, NC’s role is important and the party will play that role,” Sagar told media said on the sidelines of a review meeting at Dak Bungalow here.
Referring to the ‘quiet diplomacy’ initiated by the centre, Sagar said the quiet diplomacy has given the new direction to the track-II diplomacy and there had been positive response from the separatist camp also.
“There had been positive response from both centre and the Hurriyat and I feel things are moving in the right direction, that is why Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had been allowed to visit China” said Sagar.
The Minister said the Government is committed to conduct the Panchayat elections and the basic exercise for the same has been completed. “We have completed all the formalities for the smooth conduct of Panchayat elections and in the beginning of the next year, elections will be held,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST