Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday ordered a review of the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The reservation policy is one of the most burning issues in Jammu and Kashmir as it puts the majority population among the two biggest ethnic groups — Kashmiris and Dogras — at a disadvantage.

Omar and lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha are at loggerheads on the matter.

Kashmiris and Dogras constitute three-quarters of Jammu and Kashmir's population and a big majority of them have no reservation.

Omar said it was the main issue that was discussed in the cabinet meeting on Friday. He said a decision was taken to form a cabinet sub-committee comprising three ministers.

“A lot of things are said about reservation. People are complaining and expressing their distress. Our youths from the open category think they are not getting their due. Those who have reservation don’t want their share diluted,” Omar told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

“A cabinet sub-committee comprising three ministers will take a holistic view of reservation and see if the Supreme Court directions are violated or not. Nobody’s right will be snatched but there will be justice for all.”

The Centre had controversially given reservation to Paharis, a linguistic group who are majority Muslims but also include Hindus, under the Scheduled Tribe category last year to woo them during elections.

Those opposing the current reservation policy claim that 70 per cent of seats are now reserved in Jammu and Kashmir for the minority population.

National Conference leader and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has vowed to join the protests against the current reservation policy if the government does not make amends.

It is not clear whether the LG will give its consent to the cabinet sub-committee's decision.

Call for court martial

Omar on Friday asked the army to court martial and punish soldiers involved in the alleged torture of five civilians in Jammu’s Kishtwar district, provided there was evidence against them.

“It is very unfortunate. The problem is our people have learnt nothing,” Omar told reporters in Jammu. “I hope the army will show no laxity and will conduct a transparent investigation. if there is evidence against the accused, there should be a court martial and they should be punished at the earliest.”