2 BJP ministers pledge support to Hindu Ekta Manch, say will meet CM for CBI probe in Kuthua case

SRINAGAR: In an embarrassment to the ruling PDP, two ministers—Chowdhary Lal Singh, and Chandra Prakash—in the Mehbooba Mufti-led cabinet on Thursday attended a rally of Hindu Ekta Manch held in support of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case.
On January 17, body of Muslim girl was found in the forests near Rasana, Hiranagar. A minor, the girl had been missing for a week.
According to police, she had been abducted and raped, while media reports later revealed that she had been even drugged to keep her from trying for help.
On January 23, the Mehbooba Mufti government had ordered a probe into the incident, and subsequently handed over the case to the Crime Branch of police.
Several people including two policemen have been arrested so far for involvement in the crime.
However, Hindu Ekta Manch has been protesting in support of the arrested policeman, demanding transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The Chief Minister has already condemned the rallies being held by Hindu Ekta March.
In his address to Thursday’s rally, Prakash, who is Industries and Commerce Minister, criticised the Crime Branch for making the arrests.
“The Crime Branch can’t arrest every one. I along with Lal Singh and other BJP ministers will meet the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, to refer the case to the CBI,” he said.
“What enquiry they will do? First, the police was investigating the case, then SIT was formed, after magisterial probe, and now Crime Branch is probing the case. What is government doing we fail to understand? The case should be referred to the CBI,” Prakash said, amidst sloganeering.
He said, “Justice shall be delivered to everyone.”
“Kuthua incident is a murder of humanity. We too want justice shall be delivered to victim’s family, but there shall be an impartial investigation and nobody shall face injustice,” he said.
He said that BJP would stand with Hindu Ekta Manch “to have the case referred to the CBI”.
“We have sympathy with you and will ensure that police provides proper protection to the people of Kuthua,” he added.
Singh, who is the Forest Minister, too assured the gathering that the case “will be referred to the CBI”.
“We support you in this cause and will also meet the Chief Minister to handover case to the CBI. We have to win the war,” Singh, said.
He also criticised the Crime Branch for making “random arrests” in Kuthua in connection with the case.
“Why are you scared of the CBI enquiry? Why Kashmiris are supporting the Crime Branch probe? Some of the people shouted Pakistan slogans; action shall be taken against them,” the BJP minister, said.
“The BJP government is for everyone and I assure you that case will be referred to the impartial agency.”
Meanwhile, the National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, said it was a “shameful act” on part of the BJP ministers to participate in the rally in favour of the accused.
“Mehbooba Mufti should take action against these two ministers,” Sagar said. “These people want polarization here.”
State Congress President, G A Mir said they want justice should be delivered to the 8-year-old girl.
“This is an inhuman act. There are apprehensions in Kuthua that real culprits have not been arrested so far,” Mir said.
“It is failure on part of Mehbooba Mufti led government that even her ministers are pointing fingers towards the Crime Branch investigation and some MLAs are flaring up the situation,” he said. “The Chief Minister should handover the case to a credible agency on which people have full trust.”
While State Secretary, Gujjar Bakerwal Youth Conference, Zahid Parvez Chowdhary, said it was a “conspiracy” to polarise the state.
“These two ministers shall resign instead supporting the accused,” he added.