Split in Mehbooba Mufti govt spills out over rally

The split in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition is out in the open after two senior BJP ministers joined the Hindu Ekta Manch rally demanding a CBI probe into the rape and murder of an eight-year-old tribal nomad girl. 

Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga joined the rally on Thursday and supported the demand for a CBI probe into the January 17 discovery of the body near the jungles at Rasana village of Hiranagar in Kathua district. 

Three people, including two Special Police Officers, have been arrested in the case so far.

Earlier, on February 15, HEM had led a similar march carrying the tricolour, which had angered chief minister Mehbooba Mufti who described the use of the National Flag as “nothing short of desecration”.

However, in a sharp rebuttal on Thursday, two senior ministers joined the rally and assured that they will take up the issue with Mufti. 

“The girl should get justice. It is a very sad incident. Jungle raj will not work…It is not British rule, it is a democracy,” said Ganga.