Kulgam, Feb 05: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Wednesday held the National Conference (NC) responsible for bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Right from 1931 till today, whatever has happened in Jammu and Kashmir, especially the bloodshed in Kashmir, the National Conference is responsible for it,” the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said while speaking to reporters after offering condolences to the family of slain former soldier Manzoor Ahmad Wagay in Behibagh, Kulgam.
Besides LoP, BJP J&K President Sat Sharma, former BJP President Ravinder Raina, and other party leaders visited the home of late Wagay on Wednesday after meeting the injured family members in Srinagar.
LoP Sharma said that numerous civilians have been killed over the years, citing the case of Tufail Mattoo, a ninth-grade student, among others. “I can count thousands of such children for whom the National Conference is responsible. I would like to remind the spokespersons of the National Conference that 110 innocent people were killed during their Chief Minister’s tenure,” he alleged.
He further said, “We can count thousands of such murders, but this is neither the time nor the place for that. We have come to the house of the late Manzoor Ahmad Wagay to pray for his soul. At this moment, I would only say that the National Conference should introspect.”
Sharma prayed for peace to Wagay’s soul and strength for his family. “We pray that Manzoor Wagay’s soul rests in peace. May God grant strength to his parents to bear this pain and a speedy recovery to his wife and niece, who are in the hospital,” he said.
Commenting on the security situation post-abrogation of Article 370, the BJP leader said that terrorism and separatism have been significantly weakened. However, he accused Pakistan and its local supporters of attempting to revive unrest.
“Pakistan and its elements here cannot tolerate the prevailing peace, which is why they have launched new terror modules to create fear,” he claimed. “These evil elements are targeting innocent people to instill fear. However, given the strong willpower of the central government, led by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, their plans will not succeed.”
Sharma added, “As far as the National Conference is concerned, I firmly believe that it is fundamentally responsible for the current situation.”
BJP J&K chief Sat Sharma, who visited the slain soldier’s family, strongly condemned the attack. “We have come to late Manzoor Wagay’s house with the Leader of the Opposition, Sunil Sharma, and Ravinder Raina. I strongly condemn this brutal incident in which a soldier was martyred. We met his wife at the hospital, and we met his family—his parents, brothers, sisters, and daughters,” he said.
Sharma accused Pakistan of orchestrating terror attacks to disrupt peace in Kashmir. “What do these terrorists want? Do they want to create an atmosphere of fear? They attack innocent people. All these terrorists are acting on Pakistan’s orders. They want to ruin the peace here and kill innocents. I want to assure you that whoever is behind this act—every terrorist and every perpetrator—will soon be brought to justice.”
Former BJP president Ravinder Raina also condemned the killing, calling it a heinous crime. “Manzoor Ahmad Wagay was targeted mercilessly. He was brutally killed. This is not just his murder; this is a murder of humanity. An innocent person was targeted by enemies of peace, humanity, and Kashmiriyat. Those responsible have committed a grave sin,” he said.
