Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 22: The Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone today accused the NC-Government of being “hand in glove” in the demolition drive carried out in the Sidhra area of Jammu and alleged that the administration was selectively targeting the poor while shielding influential people and corrupt ministers.
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Lone made these remarks while speaking to reporters in Handwara after visiting Mawer to offer condolences to MP Er Rashid’s family on the demise of his father.
Launching a sharp attack on the Government, Lone said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must be held accountable for the demolition drive as the Forest Department falls directly under his charge.
He claimed that he had raised the issue in the Assembly and urged the Government to restrain Forest Department officials from carrying out such actions.
“There is a limit to making excuses. Those affected were poor people and now the Chief Minister will say he does not know. Had it been rich people, he would have reached out to them immediately,” he said.
Lone alleged that the demolition drive was carried out “after taking the National Conference into confidence” and claimed there was a larger conspiracy linked to mining as well.
“The Government keeps running away from responsibility and people are fed up with excuses. The Chief Minister says he does not know anything. He will know only if he sits in his office,” he said.
Questioning the functioning of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Lone alleged that anti-corruption agencies were targeting only lower-rung officials while avoiding action against ministers.
“I ask the ACB to go after ministers. Enough of going after lower-rung officers. If you can, act against ministers too, otherwise it all appears to be mere eyewash,” he said.
Alleging large-scale corruption in transfers and postings, Lone claimed there was a “Rs 200 crore bribe turnover” and questioned whether the ACB was unaware of money being exchanged for transfers.
“We all know how transfers happen. How can the ACB claim it does not know?” he asked.
Lone further alleged that the National Conference Government enjoyed the “complete protection” of the BJP.
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