Shiv Sena criticises BJP for violence, killings in Kashmir

The Shiv Sena on Saturday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre for the recent the “violence, bloodbath and series of killings” in Kashmir, including the gunning down of Shujaat Bukhari, editor of the newspaper ‘Rising Kashmir’.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the Sena criticised the Modi government for the unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir and said “internal security in India is becoming a joke”.

“As a mark of respect for the holy month of Ramzan, our dear Modi government announced unilateral ceasefire in the Valley. But during this time, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism did not stop. During Ramzan, 18 soldiers were killed, and one brave soldier was kidnapped and mercilessly killed,” the editorial said.

In the past four months, more than 200 people have been killed, majority of whom are security personnel, the editorial alleged.

The Sena also once again took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over against him. “Security has to be beefed up for the PM, but every day, the country’s security gets drenched in blood in Kashmir,” it said, asking what the Centre is doing to improve security in Kashmir.

The party, which is a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, went on to say that the United Nations’ report on Kashmir was “rubbish” and that it has stained the PM’s image. “Even after visiting so many places, no country is willing to stand by us on the United Nations report. What is the use of Prime Minister Modi visiting so many countries,” the editorial remarked.