Took up deaths in Baramulla, Billawar with Centre, says J&K CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the Billawar and Baramulla incidents are unfortunate and “shouldn’t have happened”.

In a post on X, Omar said that he has “seen the reports of ‘excessive use of force & harassment’ of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the death of Waseem Ahmed Malla, shot by the army under circumstances that are not entirely clear.”

He said both these incidents are highly unfortunate and should not have happened.

“J&K will never be completely normalised and free of terror without the cooperation of & partnership with the local population. Incidents like these risk alienating the very people who we need to carry with us on the road to complete normalcy,” said Omar, adding: “I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government & insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries.”