Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today alleged that Dr Farooq Abdullah headed National Conference is responsible for present mess in the State.
“Dr Abdullah and his party are responsible for the situation that we are facing toady in Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Singh told reporters at the sidelines of a function in Jammu University this afternoon.
He said: “these are the people who talk of democracy but when it comes to democratic process, they create hurdles in the course of action.”
Reacting on Dr Abdullah’s statement that some stone pelters are “paid by the Government, the Deputy Chief Minister termed it ‘condemnable and unfortunate” asserting that they instigate them (stone pelters) and pass on bucks on the Government.
“During poll campaigning, Farooq Abdullah earlier linked the stone pelters with movement and has instigated them,” he rued.
Dr Singh said Army and other security forces maintain discipline in the face of provocation by protesters and refrain from reacting in such a situation.
He said some persons have been arrested for allegedly beating up CRPF jawans during by poll to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9, a video of which went viral soon after the Government lifted the ban on broadband internet services in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday.
The video shows a group of armed paramilitary soldiers carrying EVMs being heckled and kicked by Kashmiri youths.
“All those involved in the act will be punished. An FIR has been lodged and some youths have been arrested,” Dr Singh told reporters here.
He said the Army and other security forces maintain discipline and that the youths tried provoking the CRPF jawans, but they kept their cool and did not react.
“The jawan had gun in his hands and he could have done anything when he was being insulted. But he kept calm and maintained high discipline,” the Deputy CM said.
“It is a condemnable act. The State Government will take stern action and all such elements will be punished,” he said.
“There is provocation in such cases. But our Army and security forces are disciplined. They (protesters) level allegations against such disciplined forces,” he said.
Asked about a video showing a youth tied to an Army jeep as a human shield against stone-pelting protesters, he said, “Action as per the law will be taken in the matter.
Singh said the PDP-BJP Government was making every possible effort to deal with the volatile situation and restore normalcy in the Valley.
“Peace and normalcy is first priority of the Government,” he said.
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