SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday tried to assuage the feelings of the people in the valley by saying that he had no role in Afzal Guru’s execution.
Instead he said he had repeatedly told the central government about the possible ramifications of the execution on the situation in Kashmir.
“Unlike Maqbool Butt, there was no case against Afzal Guru in the state…so the state was not required to sign the warrant of execution,” Abdullah told reporters during a hurriedly convened press conference in Srinagar.
He said he had been informed about the government’s decision late on Friday evening.
“Last night the home minister spoke to me …we were informed that after all legal procedures, they had taken a decision to hang him,” he added.
The chief Minister said he has asked the police and paramilitaries to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the situation.
He has also appealed to people to not let the situation get out of hand.
“I understand there is a degree of angst as a result of the execution…but there are amongst us those who would like to exploit the situation for their own advantages…,” he added.
Abdullah has also asked media to verify and cross check information before reporting things.
