New Delhi: National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday dismissed allegations that his party led-Jammu and Kashmir government was backtracking from its earlier stand that the two women who were found murdered in Shopian were not raped.
"It's not a question of government backtracking (on what it earlier said). The Chief Minister had got a report about what happened...After all the government will say what the officers inform," The NC chief told reporters outside Parliament.
He was asked to comment on PDP's allegations that the government was now backtracking from its earlier stand on the issue.
"Officers said no such thing (rape) happened. Now they are saying something else. That's why the then Deputy Commissioner was removed the same day. More officers would be removed if found guilty in the course of inquiry," Farooq added.
The valley witnessed violent protests and curfew-like situation for eight days against the alleged rape and murder of Asiya (17) and her sister-in-law Nilofar (22).
The NC chief said the state government, led by his son Omar Abdullah, has taken required measures into the incident.
"What else can they do? He (Omar) is not going to hide anything...an inquiry has been ordered and the guilty will be punished," Farooq said when asked whether the state government did the best possible into the matter.
Farooq blamed "vested interests" for the violence in the valley. He, however, evaded a direct reply when asked whether Hurriyat is to be blamed for the situation.
"There are so many hands. Not one but there are a lot of elements who want to destabilise the state. There are internal hands and there are foreign hands. Everybody is playing in a situation like this," he said.
Asked about Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the NC leader said it will have to be repealed as the situation in the state improves.
He said improvement in the situation will automatically do away with the need of security forces, but maintained that for this "first the state forces have to be strengthened to fight (terrorists)".
Farooq also said that Pakistan will never give up its demand for Kashmir. "Pakistan is never going to give up its claim on Kashmir. Let us not live in fool's paradise."
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