To hush up Rohingya issue, govt flared up Kathua case: Jammu bar body
JAMMU : The women members of Jammu Bar Association have accused the state government of flaring up the Kathua rape and murder case in order to quieten down the issues of deportation of illegally settled immigrants from Myanmar in and around Jammu and revocation of illegal directions issued in pursuance to a meeting of the tribal affairs department.
Bar member Surinder Kour said, “We (Jammu lawyers) were accused of defending culprits in the Kathua case. We all have been pleading justice for the victim and demanded stringent punishment for such a heinous crime. What kind of justice would it be if the innocent are punished?”
The settlements of Rohingyas in and around Jammu pose a security threat. We are raising the issue of their deportation since the past one year especially in the light of the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in February, as there were reports of their alleged involvement.
Criticizing the directions issued in a meeting of tribal affairs department, Kour said, “The tribal community has been living in harmony in Jammu region since 1947. They (tribal) are one of the most patriotic community in the country. However, we are against encroachers, who can be from any community. The government is trying to shield the land grabbers and bovine smugglers under the garb of this act. We have been urging the government to withdraw these directions.”
CM Mehbooba Mufti in February had directed police and district administrations not to provide “police protection” for antiencroachment drives that are being carried out by government departments against tribal population without prior approval of tribal affairs department.
‘SC INTERVENTION WELCOME’
Also under criticism from various quarters over its ongoing 12-day long agitation pressing for demands including handing over the Kathua case to the CBI, the Bar welcomed the Supreme Court intervention into the matter and said it has full faith in the apex court.
The lawyers body also asserted its main demand was for the shifting of illegally settled Rohingyas and there were wrongful attempts to project it as “pro-rapist” or “anti-national”.
“We have full faith in the SC and we welcome its intervention in the case. It is now up to the court to decide whether it should be handed over to the CBI for further investigation or not,” senior advocate and JHCBA member Surinder Kour said.
Kour, who was flanked by several members of the women’s wing of the association and as well as its spokesperson Gagan Basotra, said “we are now satisfied that the case has reached SC and we are satisfied that justice will be delivered to the minor girl.”