Kitchloo Defends Curfew, Calls It Key to Maintaining Peace
NC Also Seeks Return of Afzal Guru’s Mortal Remains
Curbs Prevented Violence, Says MoS Home
PDP Accused of Political Drama Over Afzal Issue
Centre Yet to Decide on Returning Guru’s Body: Kitchloo
Srinagar, Mar 1, KNT: Minister of State for Home, Sajad Kitchloo, on Friday justified the imposition of curfew in Kashmir during the execution of Afzal Guru, claiming it was a preventive measure that helped maintain law and order in the region. He said the restrictions were necessary to foil any attempts by “unscrupulous elements” to disturb peace and spread unrest in the Valley.
Speaking to KNT after the Assembly session was adjourned in Jammu due to uproar over the Guru issue, Kitchloo maintained that while the government had anticipated a violent backlash, the preventive efforts by the police and security forces ensured calm. “We had clear apprehensions that the execution could lead to serious law and order problems, but our prompt action prevented that. The low level of violence is proof that people of Kashmir want peace and are not swayed by hate-mongers,” he said.
Commenting on the opposition outcry, the Minister accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of politicizing Afzal Guru’s hanging for their own benefit. “It’s nothing but theatrics. When Guru was alive, PDP chose to remain silent. Now they’re making noise only to gain political mileage. Their double standards are well known,” Kitchloo said.
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He added that the state government has already conveyed its position regarding the return of Guru’s body. “Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has formally raised this demand with the Prime Minister. Dr. Manmohan Singh has assured that the matter will be looked into. There is no point in turning the Assembly into a battleground for publicity stunts,” he said.
Kitchloo also reiterated that normalcy in the Valley is of utmost importance, and any move that could endanger that calm will not be tolerated. “The government will not allow any troublemaker a free hand. Public issues need to be addressed in the Assembly, not drowned in chaos over already communicated matters,” he said.
Afzal Guru, convicted for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack, was hanged in Tihar Jail in 2013. The secrecy surrounding his execution and the refusal to return his body to his family sparked deep resentment in Kashmir, with political parties divided over the state’s response. [KNT]
