Bandipora: A political controversy erupted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday after Congress MLA from Bandipora, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, alleged that he was attacked by National Conference leader Jalal Akbar Lone and his supporters during a public darbar and review meeting at the Naidkhai Block Office.
Speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Bhat claimed that he escaped unhurt after the alleged attack, which he described as an attempt to prevent scrutiny of public funds allocated for development works in the area.
Bhat said he was chairing a review meeting to assess expenditure on a sports stadium and other developmental projects when some participants allegedly objected to the exercise of accountability. According to him, the individuals walked out of the meeting hall but later returned along with Jalal Akbar Lone.
“They barged into the hall, broke doors and window panes and were carrying bricks in their hands. They abused us and created panic,” Bhat alleged.
The Congress legislator claimed that around ₹2 crore had been allocated to the block during the past one-and-a-half years for rural development works and that he had sought details regarding the utilisation of the funds. He alleged that certain National Conference workers opposed the review of expenditure and disrupted the proceedings.
Bhat further alleged that the atmosphere created by the accused group has affected governance in the area, claiming that some officials are seeking transfers from the block due to the prevailing situation.
He also alleged that development activities in the area have been held hostage and accused Jalal Akbar Lone of behaving in an authoritarian manner. Referring to the National Conference-Congress alliance, Bhat warned that failure to address the incident could adversely affect relations between the two parties.
The Congress MLA appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate cognizance of the incident and initiate appropriate action against those responsible. [KNT]
