Shazia Shah | Kashmir Pen
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly criticized the police for allegedly facilitating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma’s visit to Kathua while denying permission to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary to meet the families of three civilians killed in a suspected militant attack last week.
Expressing his displeasure, Abdullah questioned the selective approach of law enforcement authorities, stating that such decisions undermine the principles of fair governance. “How is it that a BJP leader is allowed to visit the victims’ families while the deputy chief minister, who holds a constitutional position, is denied the same courtesy?” he remarked.
The criticism comes amid heightened political tensions in the region following the Kathua attack, which left three civilians dead. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have also raised concerns over the apparent favoritism in granting movement permissions in sensitive areas.
The incident has sparked a debate on whether administrative decisions are being influenced by political considerations, further deepening the divide between the ruling government and the opposition. Meanwhile, the police have yet to issue an official clarification on the matter.
As the controversy unfolds, Abdullah’s remarks are expected to fuel further discussions on political bias in security protocols and the state’s handling of post-attack scenarios in J&K: Kashmir Pen
