Mir Farhat
Srinagar, Oct 8: Congress Member of Legislative Council Bashir Ahmed Magray today said that Ghulam Hassan Mir had submitted his resignation to Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, who rejected it.
While speaking in the Legislative Council on the allegations levelled by former Army chief, Lt General V K Singh against the State Ministers for taking money from Army, Magray said that Mir had submitted his resignation to Soz but he rejected it saying, “let the law take its own course.”
“Ghulam Hassan Mir is occupying a chair in the Government as a Congress member. He came with a resignation before the (PCC) President. But the president told him let law take its own course,” said Magray
The Congress member said a thorough probe should be conducted to lay bare the truth. “Let law take its own course….why play politics over it (VK Singh’s revelations)”, Magray said.
Earlier, a discussion was initiated by National Conference member Devender Singh Rana after LC Chairman Amrit Malhotra allowed the House to raise the issue.
“Former Army General’s reckless statements have brought shame to the Indian nation and Indian Army by saying in the media that he has funded Kashmiri politicians under Sadhbhavana to win hearts and minds of the people,” Rana said in high pitched voice.
“Which hearts and minds was he trying to win as Jammu and Kashmir is still bleeding from cuts, wounds and bruises? Which balm was he trying to apply to heal the wounds?” he asked.
Without naming People’s Democratic Party, Rana alleged that VK Singh while commanding Army’s Victor Force in South Kashmir had developed contacts with some political organization.
“He could not leave those political contacts off his shoulders and carried them along even after retirement. He was trying to win hearts and minds of political operators in Kashmir, not of people,” said Rana.
The NC member told the Chairman to call VK Singh to the House and let members ask him questions and let people know the truth.
PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar asked when other former or sitting Army officials were booked for their illegal activities like in Adarsh Scam, Suknar land scam, why didn’t Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh take any action on his own and why would the State Government need to plead before New Delhi for taking action against VK Singh.
“It is because Jammu and Kashmir is treated as other India by New Delhi. Action on Army takes place if they are involved in any illegal act outside, but not in Kashmir as Jammu and Kashmir has been kept out of Republic of India,” said Akhtar.
Akhtar supported the resolution on VK Singh saying since this is our Party’s policy decision but “with a reservation that my and other members’ reputation is not compromised.”
Later, the Chairman adjourned the House for the day saying the discussion on VK Singh’s statement will continue tomorrow (Wednesday).