Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 10: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti today alleged that workers of the National Conference (NC) have been resorting to hooliganism, beating up PDP workers, and damaging their property in South Kashmir.
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During a press conference in Srinagar, Iltija, who lost the -Srigufwara- Bijbehara constituency election to NC’s Bashir Ahmad Veeri by a margin of nearly 9770 votes, accused NC workers of hooliganism.
While congratulating Omar Abdullah for being elected Legislative Leader and Chief Minister, she reiterated her allegations of misconduct by NC workers. “My question to Omar is: Is your overwhelming majority meant for hooliganism? Is it to wreak havoc? For the past three days, I have been receiving complaints from workers in Bijbehara, Khiram, Dachnipora, and Wagama,” she said.
Iltija claimed that PDP workers’ homes in Wagama are being vandalized, with their livestock set on fire. “Cows and goats are being stolen and when people are offering prayers, firecrackers are being set off,” she added.
She expressed concerns about the new MLA’s response, alleging that when the police asked him to control his party workers, he replied, “What can I do? They want to congratulate me. They are celebrating, I cannot control them.”
Mufti said she is worried about the people of Bijbehara. “My workers are being beaten up-some are in the hospital. Firecrackers are being burst outside their homes, and cowsheds have been burnt in Wagama,” she alleged. She also claimed similar incidents were occurring in Kulgam areas where CPIM workers are also resorting to hooliganism with both PDP and Jammat workers.
The PDP leader accused the NC of returning to the hooliganism it was known for 30-40 years ago. “The NC used to be notorious for such behavior, and now they are doing it again. The PDP had ended this culture,” she remarked.
Iltija warned that if the new MLA is acting this way after only two days, she fears what could happen over five years. “We are down, but not out. I will not allow this culture of hooliganism to take root,” she said, adding that she would take matters into her own hands if the harassment continues.
However, she did commend the police for taking prompt action and lodging complaints against some of the culprits.
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