MUMBAI, Nov 4: The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday criticized the Union government, claiming it is prioritizing election preparations in Maharashtra and Jharkhand over addressing the security issues in Jammu and Kashmir. The remarks were published in an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, following a grenade attack that injured at least 11 civilians near a CRPF bunker in Srinagar’s crowded flea market on Sunday.
The attack took place in a high-security area close to All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra near the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and came shortly after security forces eliminated a top Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and two other militants in separate encounters in Srinagar and Anantnag.
The Saamana editorial alleged that the Union government appears “least interested” in stabilizing Jammu and Kashmir. It accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of focusing on electoral victories in Maharashtra and Jharkhand rather than addressing the security challenges in the Union Territory.
The editorial further claimed that, despite recent escalations in terrorist activity, including five separate attacks in October alone, the government’s priority seems to be on elections rather than ensuring stability in Jammu and Kashmir. It noted that the rise in violence has sparked concern from Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, following the National Conference’s alliance with Congress to form the government. The editorial urged the Union government to provide a concrete response to these concerns.
