Jammu, June 17:  The Jammu unit of National Conference on Thursday said that it has approached the Chief Minister for a thorough inquiry and fast-track trial into the murder of Shalin Gupta, who was kidnapped and killed for ransom at Nai Basti, Jammu.
 Addressing a press conference here today, senior National Conference leader and MLC Ajay Sadhotra said that the party leaders have demanded stringent action against the persons involved in the murder of the minor boy.
 Sadhotra also refuted the allegations of shielding the murderers as leveled by PDP president and Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti.  He also contested her observations that the crime rate in Jammu has gone up during last one and a half year of NC led regime.
 Sadhotra termed the allegation as baseless with a design to misinform the people of Jammu and said that Mehbooba was leveling wild allegations out of frustration for being out of power.
 He observed that detractors of the Chief Minister and NC were demoralized and their outburst manifests frustration caused by the appreciation of Omar Abdullah by none other than Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
 The former NC provincial president accused PDP president of trying to divert the attention of the people from ‘simmering discontent among her party rank and file.’
 Sadhotra claimed that there was a steep decline in militancy related incidents, civilian killings, security personnel killings, HR violations since NC took over the reigns of the government.
 Sadhotra asked the PDP President to abstain from ‘playing divisive politics’ and appealed the people not pay heed to PDP’s ‘malicious campaign’ against NC.

BHALLA ASSURES JUSTICE TO FAMILY:
 Meanwhile, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla today visited the family of Shalin Gupta and expressed his grief and condolence. Shalin was remembered on his 11th birthday.
 Bhalla expressed his sympathy with the bereaved family and said that justice will prevail in Shalin’s case and the criminals will be punished at every cost. He said that instructions were issued to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu and SSP Jammu to hold inquiry into the matter and ensure immediate action against the criminals adding that all measures will be taken so that such incidents do not occur in future.

Dr Farooq concerned
Srinagar, June 17:  National Conference Patron and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah has condemned the killing of Shalin Gupta, terming it as gruesome and brutal.
 He expressed his concern over the killing for ransom. He expressed his heartfelt condolence with the bereaved family and said that law will take its own course and the guilty will be punished.
 He said it was unfortunate that some politicians try to extract political mileage on this gruesome killing.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST