Cop who flung shoe at Omar quits

Abdul Jan, the suspended policeman, who had flung a shoe towards Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the Independence Day, resigned from service on Wednesday. "I have quit the job of police", Jan told mediapersons on reaching home in Ajas-Bandipora, 40 km from Srinagar, in North Kashmir. Jan was released and the case filed against him on August 15 withdrawn after he met the chief minister who pardoned him in a goodwill gesture on Tuesday. Jan repeatedly raised pro-freedom slogans and hailed the chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Earlier, a warm send off was given to him at

the Police Control Room in Srinagar. Mubaraka Gul, Advisor to the chief minister, saw him off in the presence of police officers. Jan was handed over to his family members and other relatives, who had turned up to receive him, following the chief minister's decision to pardon him and withdraw the case against him.

Omar had called Jan to his residence on Tuesday where, after giving him a patient hearing, had directed the police to set him free. "Jan had on that occasion praised the government and shouted slogans in favour of government and police. He was repentive for his impudent action", said a press release issued by the police media centre.