BJP leader fired at in Kulgam as curbs announced in Valley
Terrorists attacked a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday even as authorities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir imposed restrictions and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced celebrations in Jammu to mark the first anniversary of the nullification of Article 370, which accorded special status to the erstwhile state.
Police said the terrorists attacked panchayat chief and BJP member Arif Ahmad at Akhran in Kulgam district. Inspector general of police Vijay Kumar said the terrorists fired on Ahmad. “He was shifted to emergency hospital Qazigund. He had firearm injury in neck and condition is critical.”
BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur confirmed the attack. “He (Arif) was targeted by the militants inside his house and the sarpanch has been shifted to hospital for the treatment.”
In Srinagar, the government said there were apprehensions of protests and “subversive activities” on Wednesday. Groups of policemen and paramilitary personnel patrolled the main roads and made people stay indoors.
The government removed the curfew in Srinagar on Tuesday but said restrictions on assembly and movement of people will continue. At many places, roads were blocked with barbed wires. “We aren’t been allowed to come on the main road. The policemen are imposing the strict curfew without any relaxation,’’ said Ali Mohammad who lives at Abi Guzar.
Muzzuffar Shah, nephew of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah alleged the restrictions were aimed at thwarting a meeting of mainstream political leaders called by Abdullah on Wednesday. Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, who was released last week, also made a veiled attack on the Centre.
In Jammu, BJP unit president Ravinder Raina announced celebrations to mark the event. The Congress said it will urge people to discuss the impact of the effective abrogation of Article 370.