Sakina Itoo backs judicial probe if families of Kulgam victims insist

Jammu, Mar 19: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo Wednesday said that a judicial probe should be held in case of Kulgam deaths “if the victims’ families desired so and if that could address their apprehensions.”

Responding to media queries outside the House, Itoo said, “Yesterday, we visited the bereaved families and shared our condolences. We assured them that we were solidly behind them in this hour of grief. We committed to them that the Government would provide every possible assistance to them.”

Responding to a query about the demand of families for a judicial probe into deaths, she said, “It is okay if they demand a judicial probe. We too stated that the judicial probe should happen if they (families) were having some apprehensions so that all facts could come to the fore.”

On March 18, Itoo, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and the Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, visited the bereaved families in Kulgam.

Three tribal youth, including two brothers from Rajouri staying in Kulgam, went missing last month. The bodies of two youth were recovered while the third person was still missing.

Regarding a query about rationalisation in reservation, the Minister for Social Welfare reiterated that the government was serious about it.

“It has been reiterated that a (cabinet) sub-committee has been constituted to resolve this issue about reservation. The Chief Minister has made a categorical statement that the panel will submit its report within six months,” she said.

Responding to a question about statehood, Itoo said, “What are we demanding? We are not demanding anything new. We are asking for restoration of statehood – our state, something which has been taken away from us. J&K is considered to be the crown of India. It used to be; still it is (crown). This was an old state which was bifurcated and degraded to a Union Territory. This (restoration of statehood) is everyone’s demand. Therefore, we are seeking our statehood back. That is all.”