Governor's rule must be imposed in Kashmir to restore normalcy: NPP

The National Panthers Party (NPP) on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his delayed observations on the unrest in the Kashmir Valley during the monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, and charged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with making loud statements without reaching the depth of the problem.

"Why should the Prime Minister of India not act. Why has he kept this comment in the clutches only because the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is in power, or only to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-RSS in power as long as possible. Kashmir is bleeding and Mehbooba Mufti is making loud statements without realising the depth of the problem," NPP leader Bhim Singh told ANI.

Blaming the Centre for failing to control the situation, Singh said "Governor's rule should be imposed to restore normalcy in Kashmir."

He also welcomed former chief minister Omar Abdullah's remarks that the reason behind youngsters pelting stones at security forces was because of the 'collective failure' of the state and the Centre to handle the situation.

"He is right because somebody has given him a good lesson that you accept your blunders so that in future you can try to sail your boat in the turbulent waters of the River Jhelum. You cannot solve the so called problem of Jammu and Kashmir. You can't settle this problem in one day.

During the Prime Minister's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, he said, "Those pushing youth towards stone pelting in Kashmir will someday have to answer them."

In response, former chief minister Omar Abdullah Tweeted, "Unfortunately sir, a lot of these youngsters have been pushed there by our collective mistakes & mishandling of J&K."

As the state entered its 52nd of curfew on Monday, the death toll was pegged at more than 67, 53 days after the elimination of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in the Tral region of Anatnag district.