NC to seek support for beef ban bill: Lone

As the beef ban controversy continues to polarize the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Mufti Sayeed-led PDP-BJP government on Tuesday disengaged its Jammu-based Additional Advocate General Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General Parimoksh Seth, apparently for their role in the matter. “The government has ordered the disengagement of Additional Advocate General, Jammu, Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General, Jammu, Parimoksh Seth with immediate effect”, an official spokesman said. “Orders to this effect were issued today”. Exactly a week ago, he was shifted to the education department.

PDP said consumption of beef will continue to be allowed in the state notwithstanding the directive of the High Court for implementing a ban even as BJP said the sentiments of Hindus should be respected in the larger national interest without any provocation.

Questioning the PDP-BJP government for not taking any action against VHP for its open threats, Khan said, “the so called state government should have taken quick action against the VHP leader but its silence has again proved that it is working as a collaborator of Hindu extremist forces”.

Mr Seth had filed the petition in court previous year as a lawyer and he had pursued it even after being appointed the deputy advocate general six months ago.

“The law department was pressurising me to withdraw the petition but I refused to withdraw it since it was just about implementation of law”, said Mr Seth.

Urging that ban on slaughtering bovine animals in the state be revoked, Awami Ittihaad Party president and MLA Langate Er Rasheed announced launch of signature campaign from Friday in each district head quarter in Kashmir urging MLAs to vote in favor of the bill, it submitted prior to NC.

The high court order, however, drew angry protests from Valley with local politicians, religious and social leaders threatening to defy ban on coming Eid.

Geelani said the BJP supported coalition government has brought miseries and difficulties for the Muslim majority population of Jammu & Kashmir and they are being harassed and abused in every possible ways.