Bhim Singh demands Governor's rule in J-K

In the wake of the ongoing unrest in the valley post the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh on Friday demanded that the incumbent Mehbooba Mufti-led government should be asked to step down and Governor's rule must be imposed in the state.

Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the valley, Singh said, "This is not an internal crisis, it is an external crisis and a national crisis because Jammu and Kashmir is part of India and Pakistan has full interference in the activities of Jammu and Kashmir."

The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party also used the occasion to take potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, saying none of the present leaders understand the situation there.

"When Mufti Sahab, the then chief minister, passed away on 7th January, the situation of Jammu and Kashmir went out of imagination of the Indian leaders. They could not understand the situation there and are still not able to understand the same," said Singh.

"No other national leader after Nehru or Gandhi could understand this. I have been saying this since three months that there is only one way out, which is Governor's rule," he added.

Singh further said that he would be meeting President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day during which he would urge him to impose Governor's rule in the state.

"Jammu and Kashmir has its own Constitution. The Indian Constitution does not apply to us and it's such a tragedy. So, there is only one way. Even today, I am going to meet the President and I will just say one thing that let there be Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir. There cannot be President's rule till six months," said Singh.

"The incumbent government should be asked to step down. The assembly has become a liability not just for the taxpayers, but also for the nation's security," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tariq Karra resigned from the party in protest against the "ongoing civilian killings" in the valley.

Holding the PDP-BJP alliance responsible for the present state of affairs in the valley, 61-year-old leader Karra alleged that the PDP has collaborated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-governed BJP to facilitate and implement the Hindutva agenda in the only Muslim majority state.

The Kashmir Valley is witnessing unrest since the last 70 days. Over 80 people have been killed and thousands injured in clashes with the security forces.