National Conference workers Thursday set an effigy of PDP-BJP led coalition government minister on fire for his anti-Kashmir remarks.Senior BJP Minister Chandra Prakash Ganga on Wednesday had said the youth throwing stones in Kashmir should be dealt with bullets. “They are traitors, whether they have come from Pakistan or live here. There is only one remedy for them and that is bullets. And if not bullets, they should be handed over such a punishment like the youth who are beaten with sticks by forces. Take my word that next time they (the youth) won’t throw stones,” the minister was seen saying in a video clip that has gone viral on social networking sites.The anti-Kashmir remarks angered National Conference workers who hit to roads and amid anti-BJP and anti-Ganga slogans set effigy of the minister on fire. The protest was led by Youth National Conference president Salman Sagar.
“The hatemonger Minister Chander Praskah Ganga has made it clear that the present government in Jammu and Kashmir has been pursuing anti-Kashmir policies. The motive of this government is to terrorize people and kill civilians. It is apathy that fanatic ministers like Ganga are part of this unsuccessful government,” Salman Sagar told reporters.Salman said, “It is highly shameful that no one from the government or from PDP has spoken against such rabid comments. It shows the seriousness and the priorities of this government. The whole valley is going through a very volatile phase. Instead of deescalating the situation, every effort is being made to escalate the situation in Kashmir. This is condemnable and will be resisted peacefully.”“It is highly shameful that police manhandled our peaceful march and did not allow the protestors to move further. This act of police exposes the tall claims of PDP-BJP government of giving space to peaceful protests.
When a major mainstream political party is treated like this, what can be expected from the administration when it comes to handling protests by students and others. The rule of law is completely missing on ground and any semblance of government is nowhere,” Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani said later while talking to reporters.Taking strong note of the remarks by BJP minister, Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar castigated the present dispensation for maintaining a criminal silence. “For the sake of power, Mehbooba Mufti has sold her conscious and has given in to the arm pulling of its coalition partner, the right wing BJP. In all this she has forgotten even those who have voted her to power,” he said adding, “Time will come when she will have to pay a heavy price for siding with those who are openly calling for murder of Kashmiris.”The National Conference protesters tried to march towards city centre Lal Chowk from TRC, however, they were stopped by police. (CNS)