Srinagar, Nov 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday demanded a thorough investigation into the Nowgam Police Station blast, stressing that those responsible must face the harshest punishment under the law while cautioning authorities against implicating innocent people.
Speaking to reporters at Ujala Cygnus Hospital after visiting the injured, Omar said he had raised the issue during the Northern Zonal Council meeting a day earlier, emphasising that no community should be stereotyped. “Every Muslim or Kashmiri should not automatically be linked to the incident. Innocent people cannot be dragged into this,” he said.
The Chief Minister questioned how a major security lapse could occur within a police station. “People deserve answers on how such large quantities of explosives were brought in, stored, and handled inside a police station. This must be investigated thoroughly,” he said.
Omar reiterated that suspicion should not be cast on families or individuals until the probe is completed. “Those responsible must be punished, but innocent people should not suffer,” he stressed.
He confirmed that compensation has already been disbursed from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Omar urged the Home Department to extend additional support since the blast took place within a police establishment and assured that job assistance for affected families would be expedited. “I will direct officers to complete formalities at the earliest so that job compensation is provided without delay,” he added.