Mufti slams J and K government over Ramban killings

Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti criticized the state government for its misgovernance on Sunday.

Mufti slammed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government and condemned the latest firing incident in Ramban district, which left four persons dead and 40 others injured.

According to reports, on July 18 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel fired at protesters outside the BSF station in the town of Gool (Ramban area). The protesters were unarmed and were protesting against the alleged manhandling of a local religious leader.

Protests against the killings had spread to Baramulla and Maisuma at which the police had to resort to firing and baton charge.

Mufti blamed the ruling state government for its apathy towards understanding the plight of the locals.

"If someone is killed during the firing, whether it be by police or security personnel, instead of taking action against them the government is taking action against the people protesting on this matter and the relatives of the deceased. If this continues it will lead to unrest in the valley as the situation is going from bad to worse," said Mufti.

A curfew was imposed in the Jammu and Kashmir valley to prevent any incidents of violence after the Ramban killings.

According to sources, the current coalition government of regional National Conference (NC) and Congress party could hold assembly elections simultaneously with the parliament polls either in November 2013 or in April 2014.

Speaking on the matter of elections Mufti said that the main aim of her party was to serve the people and rid the state of the rampant corruption and misgovernance.

"If we will form the government in the next elections, then we intend to form a corruption-free government with honest officials who would help in eradicating the misgovernance and build a prosperous and peaceful state," Mufti added.