PDP stages walkout from J-K assembly over hostile treatment to youth

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators on Tuesday staged a walkout of the state assembly in protest against the hostility meted out to the youth in the state.

Shouting slogans, PDP members, led by Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, created a ruckus in the house protesting against a slew of incidents that exhibited atrocities against the youth.

They protested against the FIRs filed against the youth protesters in the Lolab killings, use of pellet guns on peaceful protesters in Kashmir valley, where a few people had sustained injuries, and the expulsion of Kashmiri students by a university in Uttar Pradesh (UP) for their revelry post Pakistan victory in the recent India-Pakistan match.

Mufti criticised the state government of hostility towards the youth which has been proved repeatedly in the recent incidents.

"The incumbent government has repeatedly failed to file the criminals who should be behind bars. Instead, they have demonstrated hostility against the innocent youth who took to streets to protest peacefully against the injustice meted out to the youth of the state. This has taken a toll on their career and life. The innocent people who should be engaged in academics for the progress of the state are unnecessarily penalised," said Mufti.

Taking a jibe at the state government, PDP member Rafiq Ahmed Mir also accused the government of indifference towards Kashmiri youths.

"Around 150 people met with absolute brutality and injustice while they were expelled by the UP University just because they rejoiced over Pakistan's victory in the recent India-Pakistan match. The government has proved absolute inefficiency with its silence towards the incident. We want the Government to strongly condemn this kind of treatment towards the Kashmiri students in different parts of the country," said Mir.

However, the state Home Minister Sadanand Kichloo, accused the opposition of making baseless allegations.

"The protests in the Lolab killing widely destroyed Government buildings and properties. Hence few FIRs were lodged but no arrest was made. So the ruckus by the PDP members have created in the house today are just baseless and they are doing nothing other than pouring out their frustration," said Kitchloo.

Recently, protests and demonstrations have become the norm of the day as the people in the province vent their anger against the government led by Omar Abdullah, which is marred by corruption and has failed to address their woes.