Shopian killings: Nirmal Singh slams Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Friday criticised Omar Abdullah's speech in the Jammu and Kashmir Parliament, where the latter questioned the state government's intention over the killing of civilians in Shopian.

Speaking to ANI, Nirmal Singh said, "This was unfortunate stand by a former CM. Army, the institution making sacrifices for the country, don't have rights to approach law?."

"They are demanding that they (army) should be hanged for filing a return FIR but didn't utter a word against stone-pelters," added Singh.

Earlier in the day, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the killings of civilians in Shopian.

Addressing members of Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly Abdullah said, "I demand now a high-level special investigation team should be constituted in Shopian matter."

He questioned the intention of the Mehbooba Mufti government in allowing a person to be tied to a jeep by the Army and not offering compensation to him.

"Army man was awarded. So, how can we trust now that you (CM) are assuring a logical conclusion in the Shopian FIR," he said.

On January 27, two civilians were killed and nine others injured reportedly after the army opened fire on a stone-pelting mob in Ganowpora village.

Earlier, Abdullah said that ordering a magisterial probe into the killings of civilians in Shopian and simultaneously registering an FIR against the Army was creating confusion.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid had said no officer has been named in the F.I.R. over the Shopian killings.

--ANI