Kashmir opposition objects to state govt's 'Lal Bati' order

Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir are raising objections to a state government decision to allow the use of beacon lights by a select group of senior legislative officers, ministers and elected legislators.

National Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh termed the move as wrong in principle.

"If the state government is violating the orders of the Supreme Court of India, it is unjustified and wrong. They should end this beacon light culture permanently in accordance with the guidelines of the Supreme Court," said Singh.

Several opposition leaders have said that they will stay away from state assembly proceedings till this controversial and unfortunate order is not done away with.

"The whole country is against this VIP culture and red light culture. The Supreme Court has taken note of it. We expected the government to abolish this practice, but unfortunately, they have ended up institutionalising it," said People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Nayeem Akhtar.

The Supreme Court has restricted the use of beacon lights, saying that only people holding constitutional office are authorised to use beacons.

The Omar Abdullah-led state government has also authorised the use of blue light (with flasher) on top of emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, vaccine carrier vehicles, disaster management vehicles, fire and emergency service vehicles.

Recently, protests and demonstrations have become the norm of the day as people in the state vent their anger against the Omar Abdullah-led government for failing to reddress their woes.

Over the past few months, the Kashmir Valley has been under a state of siege, because of frequent strikes, protests and curfews.