BJP demands inquiry by retired HC judge into Kashmir violence

`With the situation largely under control now, it is right time for government to order an inquiry by a retired Judge,` state BJP spokesman Sunil Sethi said.

Jammu: BJP on Friday demanded an inquiry by a retired High Court Judge into the months-long unrest in the Valley, which it said was "engineered" across the border but executed by "supporters" of anti-national forces in the state.

"With the situation largely under control now, it is right time for government to order an inquiry by a retired Judge of High Court to identify the forces responsible for causing the trouble and suggest measures to be taken to stop recurrence of such incidents," state BJP chief spokesman Sunil Sethi said.

Sethi said an example should be set to create deterrence by prosecuting those responsible for the violence and unrest.

The violence had begun following the death of a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen militant group - Burhan Wani - in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8. At least 86 people died and thousands, including 5,000 security personnel, were injured in more than five months of unrest.

BJP governs Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufli-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

And Sethi said the unrest was "engineered by anti-national forces from across the border" and their supporters in the state executed it, leading to destruction of public properties and death of "scores of people".

"It will take time for everything to return to (normal), and people to recover losses - monetary and psychological," he said.

He said unless action is taken against people behind the unrest, "reccurrence of such incidents can't be ruled out".

"The role of political elements and the so-called social workers should also be put to scrutiny. Protecting life and property is the foremost duty of the government," he said.

He claimed that the demonetisation exercise launched on November 8 has "broken the backbone" of the troublemakers and separatists and spoiled their capacity to hire stone pelters.

The BJP leader welcomed the grant of Resident Certificates to West Pakistan Refugees, living in the state, saying the settlers were getting identity after a decades-long struggle.

"The government of BJP and PDP has taken first step in doing justice to them what was long due and their birth right. Many more things are required to be done for their benefits within Constitution to address their demands and remove all troubles from their lives so that feeling of Nationals without Nation is taken away," he said.