Srinagar: A blame game ensued between the Jammu and Kashmir alliance partners PDP and BJP today over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and subsequent violence in Kashmir that has so far consumed 42 lives including one of a policeman.
PDP MP from Baramullah Muzaffar Hussein Baig today alleged that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wasn't aware of the counter-insurgency operation against now slain militant Burhan Wani, suggesting that it was the Centre which was responsible for the happenings in Kashmir.
He said that public reaction could have been contained if the slain militant had been buried on the same day. Baig had earlier questioned the methodology of the encounter and demanded an inquiry into it. He had even said that police officers “betrayed” Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Baig also questioned Centre’s tactics in handling the unrest and said that additional security forces are perhaps not an answer to the ongoing crisis in the Valley.
In a meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with NDA allies yesterday, Baig said that Centre should have sent a Parliamentary team to Kashmir.
Baig reiterated Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad's point that number of injured increased due to the use of pellet guns by security forces and that ‘excessive force’ is being used by forces against the civlians.
On the other hand, few in the BJP have accused the state government of going soft on stonepelters and refusing to take stringent measures against them, according to a report by the India Today.
On Monday, opposition attacked the Centre and state for “mishandling” the situation in Kashmir and treating the civilians like militants.
“Should locals be treated the same way we treat militants? Should same bullets that are used on militants be used on innocent people of J&K?” Azad said in Rajya Sabha yesterday.
He added that pellet guns were not used during the Haryana riots despite large-scale violence across the state. Azad also accused the ruling party of vitiating the atmosphere in the Valley by making rash statements.
“We must ensure that the government’s attitude towards the civilians in Kashmir is that of a parent towards their children,” he said.
