Protest intensifies in Kashmir over offensive language used by PDP

Srinagar, June 20 (ANI): Protests intensified on Thursday in Srinagar over an offensive war of words between two leaders of the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Shouting slogans and marching through streets, supporters of National Conference (NC) said that their sentiments were hurt due to foul language used by the PDP legislators against the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Block president of the National Conference Ali Mohammad said the Education Minister Mohammad Akbar Lone had reacted to the taunting of PDP leaders Nayeem Akhter and Nizamudin Bhat.

"PDP legislator, Nayeem Akhter has used abusive language against the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and the ruling party National Conference (NC). There were a number of legislators present in meeting and still he went on insulting the NC," said Ali Mohammad.

Hundreds of ruling National Conference (NC) workers reacted and raised anti Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slogans, a day after PDP supporters held same type of protest against NC leader M Akbar Lone.

The protesters were shouting slogans in favour of Lone and against the PDP leaders, Akhter and Bhat in Srinagar.

Ali Mohammad said that the use of abusive language in during a board meeting was beyond tolerance.

"I want to tell them (provincial opposition, Peoples Democratic Party) that it is beyond tolerance to use the unparliamentary language while the meeting is on," said he.

The war of the words in the board meeting between the leaders erupted over some infrastructure issues raised by Bhat during the district development board meeting.

According to media reports, Bhat had proposed few demands for his constituency when he was interrupted by Lone, during a joint meeting in the state's Bandipora district.

What followed was a fiery exchange of words and the meeting witnessed "uncivilized" language, after which the meeting was boycotted, leading to rising tempers in both parties.

Protests and demonstrations have become the norm of the day with locals residing in the state, being tormented with a perennial state of unrest majorly due to political reasons. (ANI)