EPILOGUE BLOG WRITER
Amidst nationwide raging controversy on the most coveted national civilian honours, the name of one of three Padma awardees from Jammu and Kashmir is in soup for his alleged dubious past. In wake of a dominant cry against selection of a former militant turned counter-insurgent for national honours, the state government has distanced from the controversy with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying that no recommendation was made for Ghulam Mohammad Mir who has been nominated for Padmashree in public ‘service category’.
Opposition PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti accused the National Conference for allegedly patronizing those commit human rights violations. State Government’s recommendation for Padma award to a person who has been involved in a number of cases authenticate that this regime has been repeating the same blunders which was earlier committed by the previous National Conference from 1996 to 2002. “It was also after recommendation of State Government that Ghulam Mohammed Mir, a counter insurgent who has been involved in a number of cases of extortion, kidnapping and killings, has been conferred with such a prestigious award”, she said and pointed such irresponsible act of the State Government reflects that this regime has not learnt any lesson. “This acts is like rubbing salt on the wounds of people of Kashmir”, she observed.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, tried to distance himself from controversy saying, “the State Government has not recommended his name for the award. A militant turned counter insurgent Ghulam Mohammed Mir alias Mumkana of Magam, has been conferred with Padamshree award on this year’s Republic Day.
Omar said, “I am not aware about his recommendation for the award. It is possible that he his name might be recommended at personal level by someone.” “I inquired from the senior officer of the State and it has become clear that no recommendations were made for awarding Padamshree award to the said individual”, he clarified.
He, however, regretted, “Unfortunately there are already controversies about screening of this award through out the country which required wider discussions. Omar disclosed that his government had recommended the name of Rukshana Kousar for the bravery award. “Rukshana was not recommended for Padma award,” he said.
In a statement issued here today, president of PDP Mehbooba Mufti said that State Government’s recommendation for Padma award to a person who has been involved in a number of cases authenticate that this regime has been repeating the same blunders which was earlier committed by the previous National Conference from 1996 to 2002. “It was also after recommendation of State Government that Ghulam Mohammed Mir, a counter insurgent who has been involved in a number of cases of extortion, kidnapping and killings, has been conferred with such a prestigious award”, she said and pointed such irresponsible act of the State Government reflects that this regime has not learnt any lesson. “This act is like rubbing salt on the wounds of people of Kashmir”, she observed.
In the midst of this, Mir wonders why he was being dragged into a controversy. "My name has been mentioned in one FIR of a mine blast. The case has never been proved."
"But what I can prove with full documents is saving the lives of former minister Khemlata Wakhloo, former MP Mir Magami and two foreigners besides busting several militant hideouts," claims Mir whose house Central Kashmir is guarded by one full company (100 personnel) of CRPF.
Mir, whose brother and nephew were killed by militants as part of a revenge plan, said that the police certificate mentions that he had no role to play in militancy.
He said his son had been shot twice and "what is hurting is that today I stand as a culprit and am being asked questions as to what is my contribution to the country."
When contacted, Habibullah said he had supported his case for the Padma Shri as he had been a great support to him in his anti-militancy drive during his tenure as the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir.
Habibullah was the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir between February 1990 to June 1991 and second time between July to November 1993.
The CIC said that he had no issues in recommending his name because of the services rendered by him. "Rest, I believe we all make recommendations. There is always a proper background check done before giving the award," he added.
Mir also named Girsih Chander Saxena and several former Directors General of Police of the state who had acknowledged his services in fighting the militancy.
