BJP-PDP govt faces public, Oppn wrath

The PDP-BJP coalition government faced street protests, shutdown and blockades on Tuesday as chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed shifted his capital from Jammu to Srinagar.

First time in opposition since 2002, the Congress hit the streets in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk against Sayeed’s dispensation.

“Tuesday is Kashmir history’s first and black day against the march of the communal elements in the sacred land. Sayeed is playing dual politics and should come clean,” said J-K Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir.

The Congress’ protest march came under stones as it reached Maisuma, a bastion of separatist JKLF. The police used tear-smoke shells and batons to bring situation under control after a melee prevailed for around an hour.

Just metres away, supporters of a traders’ body, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), also attempted to march towards the civil secretariat, which saw reopening of offices on annual shifting of Darbar Move to summer capital of Srinagar for six months from winter capital Jammu.

Meanwhile, KTMF-sponsored shutdown call over the BJP-PDP government’s failure to provide succour to flood affected traders and locals saw most shopkeepers staying away from their daily businesses.

Tuesday’s third protest march was attempted by legislator Engineer Rashid against the move to establish separate townships for Kashmiri Pandits.