SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s junior minister for Home Affairs, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, has resigned in the wake of communal violence in Kishtwar town that left three people dead.
He has submitted his resignation to the chief minister who has forwarded it to the Governor for acceptance.
Earlier Kitchloo told reporters at the National Conference party’s headquarters in Jammu that he had decided to step after allegations that he was responsible.
“The honourable chief minister has ordered a judicial probe (into Kishtwar violence). My conscience does not allow me to continue as minister till probe files its findings,” Kitchloo said.
“I am innocent. My conscience is clear. My electorate of Kishtwar vouch for my secular credentials,” he said, adding that “I am deeply hurt that for petty political ends some people have stooped so low as to accuse me of something that I have not done.”
In this regard he said he had taken “strong exception” to BJP leader Arun Jaitley’s statement in this behalf.
The government has ordered a judicial probe by a retired judge of the High Court into the Kishtwar violence.
