MEHBOOBA: GUV ENCROACHING ON DEMOCRATIC SPACE

: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday threatened to launch a peaceful agitation along with other parties, if divisional status is granted to Ladakh and not to the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal region of the state.

“We are not against this, if Ladakh is granted divisional status, our demand is that the same should also be given to Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley, which are also remote and backward areas of the state,’’ she said.

The former CM also blamed governor Satya Pal Malik for encroaching on the democratic setup.

“What is the urgency to issue orders on a daily basis? The elections should be held and then the government which is in place can take these decisions. It seems the governor was pursuing an agenda influenced by a hidden hand.”

She added that after the J&K assembly was dissolved, many decisions were taken which are against the interests of the state.

“The governor who is a politician too, should understand the sensitivities of the state and remain over cautious. But, unfortunately, every day orders which add to insecurities of the people are being issued, like the recent orders and controversies over the J&K Bank, Roshni Act and PRC rules,” Mehbooba said, adding that baring few, all political parties are perturbed with the governor’s decisions.