Omar Abdullah orders judicial enquiry into twin murders

SRINAGAR: Amid the strike sponsored by separatists, massive violent protests continued for the third consecutive day across Kashmir over the mysterious murder of two young ladies. Though people allege the two were abducted and gang-raped, the government announced a judicial probe into the issue.

"Primary findings indicate that they were neither raped nor murdered and they actually drowned," Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah told a crowded news conference here. "But the situation is such that people are not ready to buy our theory. They believe otherwise. So, the coalition government has decided that a judicial commission probes and submits a report within a month."

The commission will be led by retired high court judge Muzaffar Ahmad Jan, who will start working immediately. Mr Abdullah said he had requested him to submit report within 20 days, but the judge did not agree. "I would prefer to leave power than lose credibility," Omar said insisting that his government would neither shield the accused nor permit them to go scot free. At the same time, he said his government will never permit "emotion to be exploited". He referred to the earlier cases in which his government quickly acted, including the dismissal of a cop, who had summoned a civilian without any reason.

Two medical teams conducted post-mortem of the two young ladies whose bodies were recovered after 11 hours they were reported missing on Friday while returning home from their orchard. "The doctors have neither been able to confirm the charge nor deny it," he said. Asked that it speaks volumes about the incompetence of the doctors, chief minister said the government was exploring the possibility of a follow up. He said the two ladies were not recovered naked as the family claims.

However, Mr Abdullah admitted there is total mistrust as most of the official institutions have eroded it. "We are trying to restore confidence and trust," he said. He has already shifted the deputy commissioner of Shopian. But Mr Abdullah's statement is unlikely to cool the situation.