Conspiracy going on to demilitarise Kashmir Valley: Ex-minister

Jammu: Accusing ruling ally BJP of "sell out" to appease separatist forces, former minister and Udhampur MLA Pawan Gupta Saturday said there is a "conspiracy" going on to demilitarise the Valley and the party is an "equal stakeholder" in that.

"There is a conspiracy going on in the state wherein the BJP is an equal stakeholder, the conspiracy to demilitarise Kashmir Valley by gradually removing the army," Gupta told reporters here.

Gupta fought and won 2014 Assembly polls as a BJP rebel. Later he announced his allegiance to the party. He was MoS in the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led BJP-PDP alliance government. He was dropped when Mehbooba Mufti took over.

He said the army bunkers are being dismantled and they are being asked to vacate the land in the Valley.

"It clearly shows that the BJP-PDP government is following Hurriyat's agenda," he said.

He alleged the "dismantling" of the army bunkers is aimed at winning support in Anantnag assembly by-elections, poll necessitated due to demise of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.