PDP criticises J-K govt response to Shopian inquiry report

Criticising NC-Congress government's response to the interim inquiry report into the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, the opposition PDP on Wednesday accused it of trying to "soft pedal" the investigation.

Criticising NC-Congress government's response to the interim inquiry report into the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, the opposition PDP on Wednesday accused it of trying to "soft pedal" the investigation.

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"It is evident from the follow up of the interim report of the Commission that government was still in a cover up
mode," PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said addressing a public meeting organised as part of the party's campaign to press for revocation of AFSPA and reduction of troops, in Pulwama, 32 kms from Srinagar.

The state government on Monday placed under suspension four police officials and an officer of forensic science
laboratory following recommendation of the one-man judicial commission probing the incident that had sparked violent
protests in the Kashmir Valley.

"The government's tactic to soft pedal investigation had not changed even after the most damning interim report by
the Commission investigating into the case," she alleged.

Though the Commission "had categorically recommended prosecution of the police officials for destruction, dissipation and suppression of evidence, the government had sidetracked the issue by suspending the officials," Mehbooba claimed.