Even after the end of mourning period, there were no indications today about how soon a new government would be formed in Jammu and Kashmir, with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti maintaining suspense and BJP saying it will wait for the ally to make the first move amid its wish to see the existing power-sharing arrangement to continue.
Mehbooba, who is tipped to be the next Chief Minister succeeding her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has kept the suspense on over when she will start steps to form the government in the state where Governor's rule was imposed on last Saturday.
"So far nothing has changed. Any further development on the formation of government would depend on how soon the party president is able to hold consultations and seek advice on the issue," senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar told PTI when asked whether any step has been initiated for forming the next government.
Mehbooba, who resumed work as PDP president last evening at the end of four-day mourning period for Sayeed, is yet to call the Legislature party meeting as part for government formation efforts.
"At the farewell function to the personal staff of Sayeed, the party legislators, who were also present, have thrown their weight behind the president on the future course of action. We are now waiting for her decision," the leader said.
Although BJP, the coalition partner of PDP in the government headed by Sayeed, has not given in writing its support to Mehbooba as the next chief minister yet, several party leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh have expressed confidence that the alliance will continue for the rest of the term of the current assembly.
BJP general secretary Ram Madhav made it clear in Delhi that his party wanted the existing power-sharing arrangement to continue but said PDP has to take the first call.
He also rejected as "mere speculation" the reports that both parties have put up fresh conditions, insisting that no political discussion had started between them as Mehbooba was in deep mourning.
Asked about the uncertainty, he said, "PDP can answer this question. They have to think about the process they have to complete from their side. It is for PDP to take the first call from their side. They have to decide about their leader and come forward. I hope they take a decision soon so that this kind of uncertainty ends.
A police spokesman said the situation remained "under
control" though incidents of arson and mob attacks were reported at over two dozen places in the Valley.
"The situation in Valley remained under control today though incidents of arson and mob attacks were reported," the spokesman said.
He said unruly mobs set on fire police posts at Fruit mandi in Sopore in Baramulla district and Police Post Litter in Pulwama district.
"A number of police establishments were also attacked by hooligans besides incidents of stone pelting reported from Trehgam, Kralpora, Villgam, Warpora, Langate and Kralgund in Kupwara district, Sheeri, Cement Bridge and Khanpora in Baramulla, Preng in Ganderbal, Hyderpora, Baghat Barzulla, Tengpora and Rambagh in Srinagar, Tahab and Prichoo in Pulwama, Yaripora in Kulgam, Sangam and Bijbehara in Anantnag, Shopian, Imamsahib and Gagran in Shopian, Popchan, Koil, Hajin and Kaloosa in Bandipora," the spokesman said.
"The police and paramilitary personnel deployed exhibited maximum restraint while dealing with the situation," the spokesman said.
At Zirpora in Bijbehara, the spokesman said militants fired upon police and CRPF personnel deployed for law and order duties which resulted in injuries to three persons who have been hospitalized.
Mobile telephony has been suspended in four districts of south Kashmir since Friday evening as violent protests erupted following killing of Wani in an encounter with security forces. Mobile internet services continued to remain suspended.
Strict restrictions on movement of people continued to be in place in many parts of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city, where the first death in the clashes occurred last evening.
Authorities have strengthened the presence of security forces in vulnerable areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley to contain the protests, police said.
They said the measures have been taken to avoid any further loss of life or damage to property.
Shops, private offices, business establishments and petrol pumps were shut, while government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance, officials said.
Public transport was completely off the roads while private cars and auto-rickshaws were seen plying at few places in the areas where there were no restrictions, they said.
Educational institutions in the Valley were closed on account of the ongoing summer vacations, while Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) have postponed the examinations due to the prevailing situation.
Most of the separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, are either in custody or under house arrest.
