BJP opposes any dilution of the authority of security forces in Kashmir

New Delhi, Sep.12 (ANI): Condemning the violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday opposed any dilution of the authority of the armed forces in the Valley.

BJP today said the violence is being instigated by Pakistan's Inter State Intelligence (ISI).

"The real face of the Hurriyat and the separatists has been masked. It started with stone throwing, and now, there is open arson of public property, including government offices. The BJP condemns it out rightly. Obviously, all this is being done under instigation from their handlers across the border, having the patronage of ISI," said BJP's chief spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi.

Prasad also opposed a proposed move of the federal government to partially withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas.

"The BJP would always oppose any dilution of the authority of the security forces, armed forces who are fighting with their lives to secure Kashmir against the separatist and elements supported from across the border. We would like to remind that Mr. Omar Abdullah was surprisingly absent from the Valley. He was sitting in Delhi. It is important for him to control these elements," he added.

The Act empowers security forces to carry out operations, to shoot, arrest and search, once an area is declared disturbed.

The authorities clamped an indefinite curfew in Srinagar, and other towns on Sunday (September 12), in the wake of widespread violent protests following Eid prayers.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq for inciting violence.

A mob set on fire a police barracks and torched a police vehicle on the banks of the Dal Lake on Saturday (September 11). (ANI)