Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking a thorough and impartial probe into the alleged assault on Congress MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat by supporters of the ruling National Conference (NC).
In his letter, Karra urged the Chief Minister to personally intervene in the matter and expressed hope that prompt action would restore confidence among alliance partners and uphold the principles of “alliance dharma”.
The controversy stems from an incident on Friday in which Bhat, the Congress MLA from Bandipora, alleged that Jalal Akbar Lone, brother of Sonawari MLA Hilal Akbar Lone, along with his supporters, attempted to assault him during an official review meeting in Bandipora.
According to Bhat, the group disrupted the meeting convened to review development works and the utilisation of public funds, vandalised the venue, resorted to hooliganism and threatened government officials.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate”, Karra strongly condemned the alleged manhandling of the Congress legislator by NC workers, saying it represented “a serious departure from democratic norms and against the very spirit of alliance dharma.”
“While political differences are a natural part of democracy, there can never be any justification for intimidation or physical confrontation with anyone,” Karra said.
He added that the alleged involvement of members of the ruling alliance made the incident even more disturbing and raised serious questions about mutual respect among coalition partners.
Seeking an impartial inquiry, Karra called for strict action against those found responsible.
He also observed that elected representatives in the Union Territory are already functioning under a challenging “dual-control” administrative structure, making it imperative for democratic forces to work together to protect the dignity of elected institutions.
Expressing confidence in the Chief Minister’s intervention, Karra said timely action would help reinforce trust within the alliance and strengthen democratic values.
“Any recurrence of such incidents, or any attempt to justify them, would only weaken the trust and goodwill that are indispensable for the smooth functioning of the coalition and the larger democratic mandate entrusted by the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
