Kitchloo re-inducted into Omar ministry

National Conference MLA Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo, who quit as minister of State for Home in the wake of Kishtwar communal violence, was re-inducted today into the Omar Abdullah ministry, a day after a judicial commission gave him a clean chit.
Governor N N Vohra administered the oath of office and secrecy to Kitchloo at a ceremony at Raj Bhawan here.
Kitchloo, who was inducted as minister of State, was given the porfolios of Home, Roads and Building, Housing and Urban Development, and Tourism and Culture.
Besides. He was made minister for Industry and Commerce with an independent charge, an official spokesman said.

Protesting the move, the BJP held demonstrations in the city and announced a 48-hour shutdown in Jammu from tomorrow.
Soon after he was sworn-in, Kitchloo said the Commission had cleared his name and the truth had come out.

"I do not think there is need to speak more on it," he told reporters here.
Under attack over his alleged role in the Kishtwar riots, Kitchloo had stepped down as minister of State for Home saying he did not want to "cast a shadow on an independent probe" which had been constituted by the state government.
Justice (Retd) R C Gandhi, probing the riots, exonerated Kitchloo and blamed police and the local administration for mismanagement during the August nine riots which left three dead and dozens injured.