NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed UPA ally National Conference attacking the government on the issue of hanging of Afzal Guru saying the demand of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to delay the execution to avoid law and order problem in the state was ignored.
NC member Mirza Mehboob Beg said the hanging of the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi and former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh was delayed after the Tamil Nadu and the Punjab governments claimed it could lead to law and order problems.
He said while Omar was of the view that Guru’s hanging could create law and order crisis, his suggestions were ignored by the Centre.
“He (Abdullah) finds it difficult to answer questions… He is facing problems,” Beg said while participating in the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
“While (Beant’s killer) Balwant Singh Rajoana said he was willing to be hanged, the state government intervened saying it could reactivate militancy in Punjab… The Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution asking to delay the hanging of Gandhi’s assassins citing law and order issues,” he said.
Claiming while he does not support Guru and felt for those killed in Parliament attack, Beg said he was not a terrorist who carried out the attack.
“He was an Indian citizen, but did he get the Constitutional rights… Others have got breather. Their cases are being heard… The case of Veerappan’s aides who murdered 23 cops is being heard in the Supreme Court,” he said.
Claiming that he was under “pressure” to raise the issue, he said Guru’s family should have been informed before his hanging as it was their right.
Citing reports that Prime Minister is upset over the way the hanging issue was handled, he said if Manmohan Singh was serious, he should ensure that his body is returned to his family.
(PTI)
