“Everyone has right to prove one’s innocence…”: Omar Abdullah on Amit Shah’s remarks on stone pelters

Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 23 (ANI): After Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks, “No stone pelter will be released in Jammu and Kashmir,” National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah said on Monday that everyone has the right to prove one’s innocence, and most of them are those against whom a case has not even been initiated to this day.

“Everyone has the right to prove one’s innocence and come out of jail. All I would like to know is if a case has been registered against those who have been arrested, has their crime been proven in a court? You have kept them jailed for 5 years; tell me how many of them had their crime proven in court. Most of them are such against whom a case has not even been initiated to this day,” Omar said.

Addressing an election rally in Nowshera on Sunday in the run-up to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Amit Shah stressed against revoking Article 370 in the valley as demanded by the opposition, including the National Conference and Congress.

“They want us to have a dialogue with Pakistan. Let me be clear, we will not hold conversations or dialogue with Pakistan till terrorism is eliminated. They want to free the terrorists from jails. Modiji came, and we wiped out the terrorists one by one. No terrorist or stone pelter will be freed from jail. BJP assures you, no terrorist will walk free in Jammu and Kashmir!” he added.

Shah highlighted the reservation issue raised by the opposition and alleged that the Congress, NC, and PDP “deprived” reservation to those living in the hilly regions, adding that PM Modi ensured reservation despite.

The first phase of voting was completed in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, with a voter turnout of 61.13 percent registered across 24 constituencies in seven districts, as per the Election Commission.

The second and third phases will be held on September 25 and October 5, respectively. Vote counting will be conducted on October 8 along with the counting of votes in Haryana.