News Analysis India

Tag: Manoj Sinha

  • G-20 events in Srinagar sign of new J&K: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  As the foreign delegates left Kashmir after attending three-day G-20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said the success of G-20 meeting signifies the rise of new Jammu and Kashmir to India and world. 

    “J&K has been a hot topic among everyone who visited the Valley. Not only in the country, but across the world in the last few days due to the conduct of G-20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar,” Lt Governor Sinha said while addressing a function in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district today.

    The third G-20 tourism working group meeting under India’s presidency was held in Srinagar from May 22 -24.  It was the first major international event in J&K post abrogation of Article 370 by centre on August 5, 2019. Sinha said 57 delegates from 27 countries participated in the 3-day G-20 meeting in Srinagar. 

    SRINAGAR:  As the foreign delegates left Kashmir after attending three-day G-20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said the success of G-20 meeting signifies the rise of new Jammu and Kashmir to India and world. 

    “J&K has been a hot topic among everyone who visited the Valley. Not only in the country, but across the world in the last few days due to the conduct of G-20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar,” Lt Governor Sinha said while addressing a function in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district today.

    The third G-20 tourism working group meeting under India’s presidency was held in Srinagar from May 22 -24.  It was the first major international event in J&K post abrogation of Article 370 by centre on August 5, 2019. Sinha said 57 delegates from 27 countries participated in the 3-day G-20 meeting in Srinagar. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

  • Mahatma only a matriculate, had no law degree, claims Jammu and Kashmir L-G

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has courted controversy by stating that the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi did not possess any law degree and his only qualification was a high school diploma.

    “There is a misconception among educated people that Mahatma Gandhi had a law degree. Gandhi had no degree,” Lt Governor Sinha said while delivering a keynote address for Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Memorial Lecture at ITM Gwalior on Thursday.

    He said “Who will say Gandhi was not educated? I don’t think anyone can dare to say so. But do you know that he did not have a single University degree or qualification? There are many of us who think that Gandhi had a law degree. No, he didn’t. His only qualification was a high school diploma. He qualified to practice law but did not have a law degree. He had no degree. Just look how educated he was. He became the father of the nation,” he said.

    “Let me make it clear that don’t only indulge in formal connection with the degree and what you think is education. Only a degree is not education,” he asserted.

    SRINAGAR:  Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has courted controversy by stating that the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi did not possess any law degree and his only qualification was a high school diploma.

    “There is a misconception among educated people that Mahatma Gandhi had a law degree. Gandhi had no degree,” Lt Governor Sinha said while delivering a keynote address for Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Memorial Lecture at ITM Gwalior on Thursday.

    He said “Who will say Gandhi was not educated? I don’t think anyone can dare to say so. But do you know that he did not have a single University degree or qualification? There are many of us who think that Gandhi had a law degree. No, he didn’t. His only qualification was a high school diploma. He qualified to practice law but did not have a law degree. He had no degree. Just look how educated he was. He became the father of the nation,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Let me make it clear that don’t only indulge in formal connection with the degree and what you think is education. Only a degree is not education,” he asserted.

  • Paharis to get reservation, but no cut in quota of Gujjars, Bakerwals: Manoj Sinha

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Amid the ongoing 500-km-long foot march by Gujjar and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir to oppose inclusion of Paharis or other elite castes in the ST reservation status, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said Pahari community would get reservation but there would be no cut or decrease in quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals.

    “Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent address to public rallies in Rajouri andBaramulla had made it clear that Paharis will get reservation in ST category soon but there will be no cut in reservation quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals,” Lt Governor Sinha said, while addressing a Janjatiya Samagam on the launch of week-long festivities on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Jammu on Tuesday. 

    He said, “Paharis will also get the reservation but there would be no tampering with the reservation of Gujjar and Bakerwal community.”

    “I urge those undertaking Padyatra (foot march) to return home. Some people with vested interest are spreading rumours on reservation. They are the same people who do not want peace and progress in the region,” said Sinha. 

    The Gujjar and Bakerwal are on a 500-km-long foot march called ‘Tribals Bachao March’ in J&K for protection of their identity and rights under the Scheduled Tribe status and oppose inclusion of Pahari community or any other elite castes in the ST status. The Save Tribals march is being carried out under the banner of recently formed united front Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Action Committee (GBJAC). The foot march started from the border district of Kupwara in Kashmir on November 4. It will travel through all 20 districts of J&K and culminate in Kathua district of Jammu region.

    The Gujjar and Bakerwal community enjoys 10% reservation in education and government employment in J&K. Besides, nine Assembly seats in J&K have also been reserved for the community by the Delimitation Commission. “Through this foot march, we want to protect our identity and rights under the ST status. We are opposing the granting of ST status to the Pahari community or any upper caste of J&K,” said Gujjar activist Guftar Ahmad.

    He said the Pahari community is not eligible for ST status as the status is not being granted on the basis of language. The Gujjar and Bakerwal community feels that declaring Paharis and other upper caste communities as STs would be injustice with the tribal population and it will deprive them of their rights in education and jobs. 

    SRINAGAR: Amid the ongoing 500-km-long foot march by Gujjar and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir to oppose inclusion of Paharis or other elite castes in the ST reservation status, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said Pahari community would get reservation but there would be no cut or decrease in quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals.

    “Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent address to public rallies in Rajouri andBaramulla had made it clear that Paharis will get reservation in ST category soon but there will be no cut in reservation quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals,” Lt Governor Sinha said, while addressing a Janjatiya Samagam on the launch of week-long festivities on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Jammu on Tuesday. 

    He said, “Paharis will also get the reservation but there would be no tampering with the reservation of Gujjar and Bakerwal community.”

    “I urge those undertaking Padyatra (foot march) to return home. Some people with vested interest are spreading rumours on reservation. They are the same people who do not want peace and progress in the region,” said Sinha. 

    The Gujjar and Bakerwal are on a 500-km-long foot march called ‘Tribals Bachao March’ in J&K for protection of their identity and rights under the Scheduled Tribe status and oppose inclusion of Pahari community or any other elite castes in the ST status. The Save Tribals march is being carried out under the banner of recently formed united front Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Action Committee (GBJAC). The foot march started from the border district of Kupwara in Kashmir on November 4. It will travel through all 20 districts of J&K and culminate in Kathua district of Jammu region.

    The Gujjar and Bakerwal community enjoys 10% reservation in education and government employment in J&K. Besides, nine Assembly seats in J&K have also been reserved for the community by the Delimitation Commission. “Through this foot march, we want to protect our identity and rights under the ST status. We are opposing the granting of ST status to the Pahari community or any upper caste of J&K,” said Gujjar activist Guftar Ahmad.

    He said the Pahari community is not eligible for ST status as the status is not being granted on the basis of language. The Gujjar and Bakerwal community feels that declaring Paharis and other upper caste communities as STs would be injustice with the tribal population and it will deprive them of their rights in education and jobs.
     

  • Will strike last nail in the coffin of terrorism in one year: J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday claimed the government will strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism in the union territory in one year.

    He made these remarks while speaking here at a function at SKICC where he laid the foundation stone of 25 DDC, BDC buildings and inaugurated 1000 Amrit serovars across the Union territory.

    The Lt Governor said it is “our sacred obligation to defend every inch of the motherland and even if we have to sacrifice everything, we shall be ready”.

    “Some people, on behest of the neighbouring country, are trying to create disturbance in J-K. The neighbouring country which itself is living in misery, can’t do any good to the people of J-K,” he said.

    “We have lost many innocent lives, now it has to stop. The right time has come to strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and its ecosystem. Your younger generation should not face the hardships that their forefathers went through. They must make the nation proud,” he added.

    Sinha also spoke about the thousands of youths in Tral Pulwama who paid homage to freedom fighters and reverberated the sky with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

    He said in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed the Union territory with a gift of a new dawn of development and prosperity.

    “For 70 years, the socio-economic system of Jammu and Kashmir was facing a serious crisis and in the last three years, the Union territory has achieved great strides in the direction of reducing the gap between villages and cities that had only widened in the last seven decades.”

    He said the implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments has given a new lease of life to grassroots democracy in J-K.

    “We are determined to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of poorn swaraj through gram swaraj. Devolution of the three Fs – funds, functions and functionaries have truly empowered the PRIs to fulfil their mandated role,” he said.

    Sinha said that even though the three-tier system was implemented late in the Union territory, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a great and effective example of this system and today, the step towards institutionalization of the offices of DDCs and BDCs, at a cost of Rs.

    92 crore, will further strengthen and accentuate the efficiency of the Panchayati Raj system, making it the engine of community development in future In all, the rural development department has approved the construction of 20 DDC and 285 BDC offices.

    137 BDC offices will be set up in Kashmir division and 148 BDC offices in Jammu division. The process of housing construction of all the respected DDC chairpersons has been accelerated, it was informed.

    The Lt Governor also outlined that for effective implementation of developmental plans and policies at the grassroots level, ample resources have been kept at the disposal of PRIs.

    When the budget of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Parliament this year, the goal of strengthening good governance and grass root democracy was placed at the top of the list of priorities, he added.

    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday claimed the government will strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism in the union territory in one year.

    He made these remarks while speaking here at a function at SKICC where he laid the foundation stone of 25 DDC, BDC buildings and inaugurated 1000 Amrit serovars across the Union territory.

    The Lt Governor said it is “our sacred obligation to defend every inch of the motherland and even if we have to sacrifice everything, we shall be ready”.

    “Some people, on behest of the neighbouring country, are trying to create disturbance in J-K. The neighbouring country which itself is living in misery, can’t do any good to the people of J-K,” he said.

    “We have lost many innocent lives, now it has to stop. The right time has come to strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and its ecosystem. Your younger generation should not face the hardships that their forefathers went through. They must make the nation proud,” he added.

    Sinha also spoke about the thousands of youths in Tral Pulwama who paid homage to freedom fighters and reverberated the sky with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

    He said in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed the Union territory with a gift of a new dawn of development and prosperity.

    “For 70 years, the socio-economic system of Jammu and Kashmir was facing a serious crisis and in the last three years, the Union territory has achieved great strides in the direction of reducing the gap between villages and cities that had only widened in the last seven decades.”

    He said the implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments has given a new lease of life to grassroots democracy in J-K.

    “We are determined to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of poorn swaraj through gram swaraj. Devolution of the three Fs – funds, functions and functionaries have truly empowered the PRIs to fulfil their mandated role,” he said.

    Sinha said that even though the three-tier system was implemented late in the Union territory, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a great and effective example of this system and today, the step towards institutionalization of the offices of DDCs and BDCs, at a cost of Rs.

    92 crore, will further strengthen and accentuate the efficiency of the Panchayati Raj system, making it the engine of community development in future In all, the rural development department has approved the construction of 20 DDC and 285 BDC offices.

    137 BDC offices will be set up in Kashmir division and 148 BDC offices in Jammu division. The process of housing construction of all the respected DDC chairpersons has been accelerated, it was informed.

    The Lt Governor also outlined that for effective implementation of developmental plans and policies at the grassroots level, ample resources have been kept at the disposal of PRIs.

    When the budget of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Parliament this year, the goal of strengthening good governance and grass root democracy was placed at the top of the list of priorities, he added.

  • Government employees duty-bound to participate in Independence Day function: J&K administration

    By Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed government officials to attend the Independence Day function in twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu saying all government employees are duty-bound to participate in the I-Day functions

    “Independence Day is an important national event celebrated on August 15 every year. All government employees are duty-bound to participate in commemorating such an important turning point in the history of our nation,” reads a circular issued by Principal Secretary to Government Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.

    In the circular, all the officers above the rank of Under Secretaries stationed at Srinagar or Jammu were enjoined upon to attend the main function of the Independence Day at the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonawar, Srinagar or Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu respectively, as part of their official duty.

    “Any absence shall be only permissible with prior permission of their immediate superior,” it stated.

    All the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of the Departments, Managing Directors/Chief Executives of the Public Sector Undertakings have also been directed to ensure that all officers working under their administrative control, and stationed at Srinagar or Jammu, attend the function at their respective places.

    The government is expecting an attendance of 15,000 people at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, where the main Independence Day function would be held in the Union Territory. This where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will unfurl the tricolor.

    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed government officials to attend the Independence Day function in twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu saying all government employees are duty-bound to participate in the I-Day functions

    “Independence Day is an important national event celebrated on August 15 every year. All government employees are duty-bound to participate in commemorating such an important turning point in the history of our nation,” reads a circular issued by Principal Secretary to Government Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.

    In the circular, all the officers above the rank of Under Secretaries stationed at Srinagar or Jammu were enjoined upon to attend the main function of the Independence Day at the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonawar, Srinagar or Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu respectively, as part of their official duty.

    “Any absence shall be only permissible with prior permission of their immediate superior,” it stated.

    All the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of the Departments, Managing Directors/Chief Executives of the Public Sector Undertakings have also been directed to ensure that all officers working under their administrative control, and stationed at Srinagar or Jammu, attend the function at their respective places.

    The government is expecting an attendance of 15,000 people at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, where the main Independence Day function would be held in the Union Territory. This where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha will unfurl the tricolor.

  • J&K L-G Manoj Sinha should take responsibility for Hyderpora encounter: Mehbooba Mufti

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha should take the responsibility for the Hyderpora encounter, in which civilians were killed.

    “What happened (at Hyderpora) was very bad. The oppression has crossed the limits. And the LG should take the responsibility (for the encounter) as he is not only the head of the administration here, but also the representative of the Centre,” she told reporters in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

    The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it is the L-G’s duty to protect the lives and properties of the people of the Union Territory.

    “At Hyderpora, three innocent civilians were killed and later, branded as OGWs (overground workers) and hybrid militants and the families had to beg for their bodies. And till now, the body of Amir Magray, who is from a poor family, has not been handed over to the family. His father has been awarded for killing a militant.”

    ​ALSO READ | Hyderpora encounter: Ramban DDC chief warns of protest if 3rd victim’s body not returned to kin

    “This kind of atrocities will not improve the situation, but will rather deteriorate it further. Such incidents will further widen the distance between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the country,” she said.

    Mufti warned that if such incidents continue to take place, the situation will become very dangerous in Jammu and Kashmir.

    She said Sinha should ensure that Magray’s body is handed over to his family.

    “He (Sinha) is answerable to us as he is the representative of the Centre and whatever wrong happens here, he is responsible for that,” the PDP chief added.

    Four persons were killed in an alleged encounter at Hyderpora here on Monday night.

    ALSO READ | Concerned Citizens Group demands judicial probe into civilian killings in Hyderpora encounter

    A controversy broke out as the families of three of those killed in the incident said their kin were innocent civilians.

    A magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident.

    Mufti alleged that there is a “jungle raj” in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “There is no government. Everything, including the right to speech, is being suppressed here. Kashmir has been turned into a big jail,” she said.

  • Two more non-locals killed in Jammu and Kashmir, L-G Manoj Sinha vows harsh response

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Two more non-Kashmiri workers were shot dead in J&K on Sunday in the latest attack targeting civilians. Terrorists entered the rented residence of the Bihari labourers — Raja Reshi Dev and Joginder Reshi Dev — in Wanpoh, Ganjipora in Kulgam on Sunday and fired indiscriminately, killing them on the spot. This raises the number of civilian fatalities to at least 12 since the month began. 

    J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killings and promised a strong response, saying “We’ll hunt down terrorists, their sympathisers and avenge every drop of innocent civilians blood.” After Sunday’s shootings, which also left another non-local labourer injured but in stable condition, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar purportedly issued an advisory calling on police officials to bring all non-local labourers in their respective jurisdictions to nearest police, CRPF and army establishments.

    However, the IGP later denied issuing the order, which went viral on social media, calling it fake. A police official said security in and around the areas where the non-locals are staying has been increased and patrolling intensified. Many non-locals left the Valley since October 5, when the targeted killings by militants started. As per estimates, about 50,000 migrant labourers are living in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Army is continuing its search for a group of militants hiding in the forests of Poonch district.

  • Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemns ‘despicable terror attack’ in Kulgam

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday condemned the “despicable terror attack” in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the security forces will give a befitting reply.

    Terrorists shot dead two workers from Bihar and injured another after barging into their accommodation in Kulgam in south Kashmir on Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks on non-locals, officials said.

    “I strongly condemn the despicable terror attack on Civilians in Kulgam. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of injured,” Sinha said in a tweet.

    He was reacting to the killing of two nob-local labourers in Kulgam district earlier in the evening.

    “Our security force will give a befitting reply to terrorists. J&K govt stand by the families in this time of grief,” the LG said.

  • J&K administration removes separatist leader Geelani’s grandson from govt service

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Over a month after death of separatist leader and Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani, Lt Governor administration on Saturday terminated services of his grandson Anees-ul-Islam, who was working as Research Officer in Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.

    The government also sacked a teacher from the mountainous district of Doda.  

    “The Lt Governor is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of the information available that activities of Anees-ul-Islam, Research Officer in SKICC are such as to warrant his dismissal from service,” reads the order issued by the government.

    The order was issued by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha under Article 311 of the constitution of India.

     “The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the provison to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case of Anees-ul-Islam, Research Officer in SKICC,” it stated.

    Accordingly, Lt Governor dismissed Anees-ul-Islam from service with immediate effect.

    Similar termination order was issued regarding Farooq Ahmad Butt, teacher (RReT) in GMS Kathawa Doda S/o Dawood Butt R/o Kathwa Tehsil Pahgsoo, Doda.

    Under sub-clause (C) of the provison to clause (2) of the Article 311 of Constitution of India, the government can terminate an employee without holding mandatory inquiry into charges against him.

    The employees have been terminated on recommendations of the Special Task Force constituted by J&K government.

    The government has so far sacked about 30 government employees for alleged anti-national activities and “in the interest of the security of the state”.

    In July this year, the administration sacked 11 employees including two sons of Hizb chief Syed Salah-ud-Din for their alleged involvement in militant and anti-national activities.

    In April this year, the J&K government formed a Special Task Force, which was created to scrutinise government employees suspected of activities requiring action under the Article 311(2).

    The provison (C) of Article 311(2) confers powers for dismissal, removal and reduction in the rank of public servants to government without holding recourse to normal procedure if it is satisfied that his/ her retention in public service is prejudicial to the security of the State.

  • Civilian killings in J&K: PDP demands L-G Manoj Sinha’s resignation, says situation is alarming

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The PDP on Friday demanded the resignation of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha over the recent civilian killings by militants, saying the administration has “failed” to provide a sense of security to the people.

    The situation in the Union Territory is alarming and these incidents have exposed the “false” narrative of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari told a press conference here.

    Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a number of killings of civilians in the last few days, with the latest on Thursday, when principal Supinder Kaur and teacher Deepak Chand were shot dead at point blank range inside a government school in the city.

    On Tuesday, Makhan Lal Bindroo, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit, and a vendor, Virendra Paswan from Bihar, were killed by terrorists in Srinagar, and civilian, Mohammad Shafi Lone, in Bandipora.

    Terrorists shot dead Majid Ahmad Gojri in Srinagar and Mohammad Shafi Dar at Batamaloo on Saturday.

    “One thing is clear from the incidents that have taken place in the last few days that the situation is getting worse.

    The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley, do not feel safe,” Bukhari said.

    “We have condemned these incidents in the strongest terms, they are anti-humanity and anti-Kashmiriyat,” he said.

    Bukhari also said that the overall situation in Kashmir is “alarming” and the government of the day is responsible for it.

    “So, for its (administration’s) failures, for not being able to protect the people, for the worsening situation and for working against the people, the PDP demands that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has no moral authority left to continue and he should resign. He has failed in his work to provide security and development,” he said.

    The PDP chief spokesperson said the situation demands that questions be asked to the government.

    “It is now two years since the unconstitutional and illegal decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the Union Territory is under the direct control of the Union home ministry. The situation today tells you about their performance in these two years,” Bukhari said.

    In 2019, the Centre had revoked the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into union territories of Jammu and Kahsmir and Ladakh.

    “Question arises that who will take the responsibility for the bloodshed that is taking place on the roads and lanes of Kashmir. Who is answerable for this? What are the security apparatus and the intelligence agencies doing? What is the government of the day doing? The responsibility clearly lies on the government of the day and so the need is to make them answerable,” he said.

    Claiming that the situation a few years back was not how it is today, Bukhari said since the government’s control has been from Delhi, the situation has been “worsening”.

    “There is no sense of security, be it among the minority community or the majority community. They used to say Article 370 was the biggest hurdle in achieving peace here and so it had to be removed. They used to say that the political parties here were a hurdle and they were sidelined. They should be asked today then who is responsible for the situation getting worse,” he added.

    The PDP leader said such incidents have “exposed the false narrative” about normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir or the end of militancy or that everything is under control.

    The narrative was created and the whole country was lied to by the governments here and in Delhi, The PDP leader said.

    Appealing to the people to be united and fight the situation together, Bukhari said these incidents were being done to target the communal harmony and brotherhood in Kashmir.

    Later, PDP workers staged a protest from the party headquarters near Sher-e-Kashmir Park and tried to match towards the city centre Lal Chowk here.

    However, police scuttled their move and did not allow them to proceed towards Lal Chowk.