Jammu, July 1: On his return from Dubai, the senior National Conference leader and the Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, blamed separatists and political parties - who lost mandate during the previous elections - for fanning the fire of civil unrest in Kashmir,
“Everyone, from the separatists to some political parties, is trying to use the present situation to meet their political ends. We condemn the loss of innocent lives in the police firing but it should not be used as political tool,” Rather told reporters here on Thursday.
Expressing regret over the loss of life during the recent protests across Kashmir he said that action would be taken against the CRPF and policemen, if found guilty, after the judicial commission submits its report to the government.
On the allegations of the excessive use of force by the paramilitary CRPF during the recent protests, Rather said that state government had initiated the judicial and magisterial inquiry in Sopur and Islamabad firing incidents and is waiting for the report. Anyone found guilty will be dealt as per the law, he said.
He also rubbished the rumors that a temple was set ablaze by protestors in Islamabad district. “Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has himself said that no such incident occurred in the district and even the Kashmiri Pandit families living in the area have termed the news baseless and false”, he added.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST