Instead of educating Valley's youth, Farooq Abdullah putting stones in their hands: BJP

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Apr. 14 (ANI): Slamming National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah for the violence emerging from the polling stations during the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-poll, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Srikant Sharma asserted that Farooq Abdullah and the Congress are solely to be blamed for this situation. "The problems that Kashmir is facing currently are because of Farooq Abdullah and the grand old party. We are trying our best to control the damage there and will resolve it soon. People of Kashmir want development in all factors which it lacks from years," Sharma told ANI. Sharma further stated that Abdullah and the Congress don't want to restore peace in the valley that's the reason stone-pelting issues are increasing. "We have a strong government in Jammu and Kashmir, and we promise to bring peace which Abdullah and the Congress failed in. We will also not accept any anti-national elements who will ruin the valley," said Sharma. Finally taking a jibe at the NC president, Sharma said that Abdullah should take rest, sit back at home and relax. "Looking at Farooq Abdullah's experience and age, he should take rest, sit back at home and relax. Because rather than giving education to the children, he is putting stones in their hands. It is also unfortunate to see him standing with anti national elements in the valley," the UP minister said. Earlier this week, Farooq Abdullah came down heavily upon the state government, saying it has failed in giving a peaceful atmosphere to the people to vote. "The elections should have been peaceful. People have to show their presence and support whoever they want to. People have fought for this vote and they should be able to utilize it, but unfortunately this government has failed in giving peaceful atmosphere to the people so that they can come out and vote. The government is frightening the people," Farooq told ANI after casting his vote for the by-poll." "I heard two people have died in Budgam district and many are injured with pellet guns show that the situation is worsened. We hope the people will go and vote and express their opinion," he added. It was also reported that a person was killed after a clash broke out on Sunday near a polling station in Dalwan Pakerpora area of Budgam. Petrol bombs were also hurled at polling station in Budgam, as voting for by-election to the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency began. Meanwhile, clashes between protesters and security forces were also broke out in Nasrullahpora and Chadoora, leaving four injured. Nine candidates are in fray for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency where more than 1,500 polling stations have been set up for nearly 12.61 lakh voters. Security has been beefed up and internet services have also been shut down ahead of the polling. All the polling stations have been declared as either 'sensitive' or 'hyper-sensitive' keeping in mind threats perceptions. (ANI)