Politicos condemn Yasin Malik for hijacking rescue boat in J-K

Leaders of various political parties on Wednesday condemned the move of a group of separatist leaders, led by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik, to hijack a boat meant for relief work in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shahnawaz Hussain said separatist leaders, such as Yasin Malik are jealous of the fact that the Indian Army is gaining popularity in Kashmir for devotedly helping the flood victims, and are therefore trying to disrupt rescue operations.

"Just because the army is getting favoritism in Kashmir, separatists don't need to get jealous and disrupt rescue operations. The people of Kashmir have realized that army has done a lot for them, but the news regarding Yasin Malik is very unfortunate," he said.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Atul Anjan on his part said separatist leaders like Malik were creating a nuisance in the state instead of helping the people.

"Paramilitary, army has saved lakhs of people. This must be one of the biggest rescue operations in the country. In such situations, what are the people of Hurriyat conference doing? How have they helped people of Kashmir? Instead, they are disrupting rescue work by pelting stones on army people," said Anjan.

A video of Malik had surfaced on Monday in which he had allegedly asked voluntary relief workers not to distribute food items, saying that only JKLF could operate in that particular area.

Malik and his team later looted the relief materials and boats of aid workers and started distributing the items among the victims.

Malik's men have also been accused of pelting stones at the army.

The separatist leader has, however, denied the accusations, saying that his men had gone there to distribute grocery amongst the victims.