Senior Congress leader and Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat on Friday alleged that he was attacked by Sonawari MLA’s brother and his supporters during an official review meeting in Bandipora’s Naidkhai area, accusing them of disrupting proceedings to prevent scrutiny of development works.
Addressing reporters after the incident, Bhat, alleged that Jalal Akbar Lone and his supporters stormed the meeting hall, vandalised the premises and attempted to intimidate officials and the public representative.
He said he was chairing a review meeting to assess the implementation of various development projects, including expenditure on a sports stadium and other works, when some participants objected to the discussion and walked out.
He alleged that they later returned with Lone and several supporters, who forced their way into the hall, damaged doors and window panes, and created panic.
Urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene into the matter, he said this incident will definitely have an impact on the alliance between the Congress and the National Conference. “If the Chief Minister and the party failed to take any action and failed to stop their people from doing hooliganism, it will have an impact on the alliance,” he said.
He also said the obstructing official business and trying to assault a public representative is an obvious offence and that he has desired action in this regard.
Bhat said the disruption was aimed at preventing a review of funds sanctioned for the block over the past one-and-a-half years. He said he had sought details on the utilisation of around Rs 2 crore allocated for rural development works.
He further alleged that the atmosphere created by the group had affected the functioning of the administration, claiming that some officials had sought transfers from the block due to repeated interference.
