Uddhav says Modi can't handle terror attacks, should step down

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday hit out at Prime minister Narendra Modi over the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir saying if the latter cannot handle terror attacks, he has no right to be the PM again. He claimed that nothing had changed in the northern state after the abrogation of Article 370.

“Kashmir is burning, attacks are taking place. Lives are being lost. Who is responsible for the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir? Where are those who have been speaking about Kashmir during the elections?” asked Thackeray.

The former Maharashtra chief minister said the abrogation of Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has made no difference in the state. The legislation was revoked on August 5, 2019, less than two months after PM Modi was elected to serve his second successive term.

Thackeray said that three attacks took place in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three days. “Will he (Modi) still go to J&K or enjoy the breaking up of the opposition parties?” he said mockingly.

Ever since the Modi-led NDA government was sworn-in for its third consecutive term, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed three terror attacks.

On June 9, when Modi took oath for the third time, terrorists opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. Ten people lost their lives while at least 41 people were injured.

On Tuesday night, terrorists attacked a joint check post of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police in the Doda district, leading to a fierce gunfight. During a subsequent search operation, two terrorists were killed.

On Wednesday, a CRPF jawan was killed and six security personnel were injured in two overnight encounters with terrorists in Kathua and Doda districts.

Thackeray also asked whether the PM will visit Manipur after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on the situation in the strife-torn north-eastern state. Bhagwat on Monday expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year.

“Mohan Bhagwat has said that Manipur is burning. He has at least said this after a year. Will the prime minister and home minister not go there?” Thackeray asked.

Manipur has been witnessing violence due to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year during which as many as 200 people have been killed and thousands have been displaced following large-scale arson.