PM visit a damp squib: JKNPP

Describing the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state as a damp squib, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) said today that the people of Jammu were left demoralised as their pressing issues did not find a mention in his address.

With the entire focus on Kashmir-centric issues, endorsement of the Centre's unilateral ceasefire decision and describing himself as a disciple of Kashmiriyat, Modi has completely disregarded the sentiments of Jammu region which gave his party an unprecedented mandate in previous parliamentary and assembly elections, JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh said.

With both PM Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mehbooba exchanging pleasantries and attempting to please one another, the Jammu region's issues faced a total eclipse and rather receded into the oblivion, he claimed.

While the people expected the prime minister to make a statement on the Pakistani firing on the borders and consequent loss of innocent lives and properties, he said, Modi "regretfully chose to keep mum".

The rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua district in January this year and subsequent demand for a CBI probe into did not find a mention in the prime minister's address, he said.