Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited Cygnus Ujala Hospital to meet the injured victims of the Nowgam Police Station blast and said the government owes citizens “clear answers” on how such a massive explosion could take place inside a police facility.
He said the scale of destruction, including the loss of civilians, police personnel, and technical staff, makes a thorough and transparent investigation unavoidable.
Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Omar said the tragic deaths including a tailor, a photographer and several government staffers have left families devastated. “So many people have lost their precious lives, including police, FSL staff, civil services personnel and even those who had nothing to do with the government. How did this happen? Why did this happen? People deserve answers,” he said.
The Chief Minister said an inquiry is already underway and urged authorities to provide clarity on the circumstances in which such a large quantity of explosives entered and remained inside the premises.
“Such a huge quantity of explosives was brought here. In what conditions was it brought? In what conditions was it kept? In what conditions was it being dealt with? Gradually, we will get the answers,” he said.
Omar praised the immediate response of Cygnus Ujala Hospital staff, who rushed to the spot even before formal communication from authorities. “They saw the explosion and fire from their window and sent their ambulance without waiting for a phone call. Their team reached first and rescued the injured,” he said. Four patients remain in the ICU and several others are under treatment.
He said the government has already announced initial compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and further support for structural damage to houses is being processed.
“We will provide as much assistance as the procedure allows. Because this happened at a police station, we expect that funds available with the Home Department and especially those placed at the disposal of the Lieutenant Governor should also be used to support the affected families,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he raised concerns at the North Zone Chief Minister’s Conference, held recently in the presence of the Union Home Minister, Home Secretary, and senior officials.
“I requested them not to cast suspicion on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially Kashmiri Muslims. Those who are responsible must be punished, but innocent people who have always raised their voice against such violence should not be dragged into this,” he said as per KNS.
Omar also referred to the earlier SRO scheme, now renamed but similar in structure, which provides government jobs as compensation to families of those killed in such incidents. He said the administration should immediately process a case for the family of the deceased tailor. “As soon as the case reaches us, we will approve it,” he said.
Calling for patience and fairness, the Chief Minister said the investigation must speak through facts, not assumptions. “Those responsible must face punishment. But the innocent must not suffer. Before the investigation ends, no one should jump to conclusions,” he said.
Omar said that the public has the right to know the truth: “We hope people will get the answers they deserve.”(KNS)
