Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Thursday alleged that the PDP-BJP government was making all attempts to hush up the Kathua rape and murder case by “destroying evidences and building up a communal narrative around the heinous crime.”
Geelani in a statement said, “The vested and communal sections are politicizing and communalizing the situation to sabotage the investigation.”
“It is a well thought-out ploy to save the criminals as the in-depth investigation will lead to more arrests and will certainly reveal the involvement of more assailants,” Geelani said.
“It is quite strange that instead of cooperating with investigating agencies to nab the culprits, these sick minded elements are creating hurdles. This indicates that those organising rallies and protests in favour of criminals too are involved,” Geelani said, demanding that fast track court should be set up to hear the case so that justice can be dispensed.
Commenting on the ‘slow pace’ of investigations and “intentions” of the government to handover the case to Central Bureau of Investigation and ‘pressure’ created by vested interests, Geelani said, “It is a deliberate move to shelve the case as was done in 2009 Asiya and Nilofer Shopian double murder and rape case.”
Blaming the BJP and other communal elements for “hooliganism, bullying and instigating sectarian strife” in the state, Geelani said, “It will have dire consequences and distressing effect on the dignity and honour of citizens living in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Geelani stressed for impartial probe and stringent action against the culprits involved in Kathua rape and murder case, saying, “We are closely monitoring the case proceedings and situations and won’t allow any lacuna or any attempt to influence investigation. People won’t act as mute spectators and will react and resent if the accused are dealt with in a lenient way.”