* http://www.dailypioneer.com/276477/No-politics-cop-mentally-ill-JK-Police.html
NATION* | Tuesday, August 17, 2010 *No politics, cop mentally ill: J&K Police* *Khursheed Wani | Srinagar* Jammu & Kashmir Police stressed that a police Head Constable who hurled a leather shoe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Independence Day was mentally unwell but parried the earlier claim that he was provoked by a political leader. On Monday, the police issued documents of Senior Police Constable Abdul Ahad Jan, showing he was regularly attending psychiatry hospital. The police had on Sunday evening claimed that during preliminary interrogation, Jan has revealed that he was approached by a party leader and used the latter’s entry pass at the venue. However, police refused to give details of the interrogation. Jan, who complained of chest pain and high blood pressure, was admitted to Institute of Medical Sciences, where he underwent a check-up. As he was brought out of the ambulance, he shouted pro-freedom slogans and told reporters he wanted to meet the DGP Kuldeep Khoda and Abdullah to “expose black sheep in the police”. He added, “I will say nothing until I meet the CM or the DGP.” The police have suspended 15 police personnel, including four officers, for dereliction in duty, asking how Jan gained entry into the VVIP Lounge. Opposition People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti rubbished the police claim that Jan was deputed by a political leader. “This is a ploy to hoodwink the public outburst against the Government. This (show hurling) is the natural reaction to injustice”, Mehbooba said. “It was a shoe,” Abdullah was quoted as saying, “If it had hit me, it probably would have caused a bruise, but that’s about it,” he added. “I would obviously like to know how somebody got into the main enclosure who clearly had no business being there. But that’s a job for the police and the investigating agencies,” said Abdullah. Only mainstream political parties receive invitation to the Independence Day function and entry passes are scrutinised by the security wing of the police. Sources said that PDP had received three cards one each for former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, Party President Mehbooba Mufti and deputy speaker Sartaj Madni. Several legislators from the ruling coalition including Abdul Ghani Vakil, Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Amin Bhat said that entry passes had not been issued in their favour. Meanwhile, separatist leaders have also castigated Omar Abdullah Government and described the show-hurling incident as a testimony to his growing unpopularity and people’s response to his rule. “As you sow so shall you reap”, was the refrain of the hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani. “Much you suppress the common people, more would be the reaction to it”, said moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq. After Jan’s arrest, thousands of supporters shouted pro-independence slogans outside his house at Ajas in Bandipora district of north Kashmir. His wife was felicitated and youngsters danced and played musical instruments. Jan’s relatives have dismissed police claims that he was mentally sick. They said his house was burnt down by pro-Government militants in the mid-1990s, which forced him to leave the area for some time. Local newspapers reported that Jan was instrumental in saving the life of the then DGP JN Saxena when a powerful bomb exploded at police headquarters in early 1990’s. For his gallantry act, he was awarded police medal and two ranks. However, later he was conferred one rank only, which disillusioned him. Jan’s act has added another chapter in the ongoing anti-Government stir in Kashmir. On Monday, people were seen shouting slogans in his favour in various localities of the Valley. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
