Fix Accountability For Lapses In Nowgam Police Station Blast: Srinagar MP Ruhullah
SRINAGAR, Nov 17: National Conference Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah on Monday called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station, asserting that responsibility must be fixed for the “serious lapses” that led to the tragic incident.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the injured at a private hospital in Srinagar, Ruhullah emphasised that the circumstances surrounding the explosion cannot be taken lightly, particularly when loss of lives and large-scale damage to property has occurred.
“There is an urgent need to establish accountability for the lapses that resulted in this accidental blast. A thorough investigation must be conducted, and a detailed report should be prepared. Anyone found responsible for negligence should face appropriate action,” he said.
The Srinagar MP added that an impartial investigation was essential to independently verify the government’s claim that the blast was accidental and not linked to any terror activity.
“It is being claimed that this was an accident. That must be conclusively proven. And if it is established that the blast was indeed accidental, then justice must follow—by holding accountable those whose carelessness caused this tragedy,” he remarked.
Ruhullah also alleged that the incident appeared to involve “multiple levels of negligence” in the handling of explosive materials.
“Highly explosive material was brought into a residential neighbourhood in considerable quantities and handled in an unprofessional manner, without trained experts supervising the process,” he said, questioning the decision-making that enabled such conditions.
He stressed that while property damage can be compensated, the loss of human lives is irreversible.
“The death of a person affects not just the individual but their entire family for a lifetime. These tragedies leave emotional and economic scars that cannot be repaired,” he added.
On the BJP’s accusation that political parties were exploiting the incident for political gain, Ruhullah rejected the charge, stating that no one in Kashmir rushed to create narratives or jump to conclusions.
“Neither politicians nor the public in Kashmir indulged in premature judgements. The government must clarify whether this was a terror attack or not. If it was not, then why were there so many glaring lapses? If I wanted to politicize the issue, I could have easily blamed the government. But let us not forget—security and law and order still rest with the Lieutenant Governor, and so does the responsibility,” he said.
Ruhullah further accused the BJP of politicizing sensitive incidents in the past to polarize public sentiment.
“You saw what happened in Delhi earlier. One incident occurred, and Kashmiris were targeted. After the Pahalgam attack, people of all communities in Kashmir came out to condemn it. Yet the BJP chose to give a communal spin to a terrorist act,” he claimed.
On being asked about doctors being questioned in the ‘white-collar terror module’ case, Ruhullah said investigation is important but must remain fair and balanced.
