J&K Dy CM calls Kathua rape 'small issue', BJP-PDP faces backlash: Updates

The Kathua rape and murder case saw some more controversy on Monday, even as the Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu & Kashmir government was undergoing a Cabinet reshuffle, thanks to some remarks by the newly appointed deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta. Mufti's People's Democratic Party (PDP) is in power in the state in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

While Gupta termed the case as a "small issue", the induction of BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, who was part of the rally held in support of those accused in the Kathua rape and murder case, in the Cabinet raised questions on the ruling BJP-PDP alliance's stand on the case.

Opposition parties slammed the state government over the issue. J&K's main Opposition National Conference condemned Jasotia's appointment as a minister and raised questions over the nature of alliance between BJP and PDP.

"Why are the BJP/ @MehboobaMufti confused about where they stand on the #Kathua rape?," former J&K chief minister and NC leader Omar abdullah tweeted on Monday.

J&K deputy CM Nirmal Singh quits Mufti govt ahead of Cabinet reshuffle

Ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh tonight tendered his resignation to pave the way for state Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta to take over the post in the PDP-BJP government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

BJP's state unit chief Sat Sharma, MLAs from Kathua and adjoining Sambha Rajiv Jasrotia and Devinder Kumar Manyal are among the BJP faces who will be inducted into the state government as Cabinet ministers, officials said.

"I have resigned from the post to pave the way for a new deputy chief minister in the state," Singh told PTI.

The PDP will have Mohd Khalil Band, MLA from Pulwama, and Mohd Ashraf Mir, MLA from Sonwar, as Cabinet ministers, while the BJP will upgrade Sunil Sharma, at present Minister of State for Transport, to the rank of a Cabinet minister, the officials said.

BJP MLA from Doda Shakti Raj will also be sworn in as Minister of State tomorrow at the oath-taking ceremony, which will be attended by senior BJP leaders, including national general secretary Ram Madhav and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, they said.

J&K Cabinet rejig: Facing Kathua heat, BJP to bring on new faces; updates

The Mehbooba Mufti-led Jammu and Kashmir government's Cabinet reshuffle will take place on Monday noon, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in alliance with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, expected to bring in some new faces. Ahead of the reshuffle, BJP leader and Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh tendered his resignation. State Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta will take over Singh's post in the PDP-BJP government.

According to the invitation for the ceremony, the oath of office and secrecy will be administered to those being inducted into the council of ministers by J&K Governor N N Vohra at the convention centre in Jammu at 12 noon. The function is being held at the convention centre instead of the Raj Bhavan because the J&K government has already shifted its base to the summer capital of Srinagar as part of its biannual 'darbar move', under which the government functions six months each in the twin capital cities.

Officials said that BJP's state unit chief Sat Sharma and MLAs from Kathua and adjoining Sambha, Rajiv Jasrotia and Devinder Kumar Manyal, were among the BJP faces who would be inducted into the state government as Cabinet ministers. An unnamed senior BJP leader told news agencies that the party leaders, in general, had no information on the specific number of people who were being inducted into the Cabinet or being dropped from the Cabinet. He added that BJP national president Amit Shah and party general secretary Ram Madhav had the list, which would be handed over to Nirmal Singh either on Sunday night or Monday morning.

4 cops killed in IED attack in Kashmir; JeM claims responsibility

Four policemen on patrol duty were killed on Saturday in an improvised explosive device blast by militants in a market in Sopore township, the first IED attack in Kashmir since 2015.

The four personnel belonging to Indian Reserve Police-3rd battalion were on law and order duty in the township in north Kashmir, 50 km from here, when the IED planted by militants in the market, which was shut due to a separatist-sponsored strike, went off, police said.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit has taken responsibility for the attack, but the Kashmir police said it will have to verify the claim.

The slain personnel were identified as assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Irshad Ahmad - a resident of Doda, Constable Ghulam Nabi - a resident of Rohama Rafiaabad area of Baramulla, Constable Parvaiz Ahmad - a resident of Vilgam, Handwara and Constable Mohammad Amin - a resident of Sogam, Kupwara.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Munir Khan said the use of IEDs by militants had ended since 2015 and the security forces will have to chalk out a new strategy in the wake of the blast.
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