Omar hits out at BJP-PDP coalition over Jammu clashes

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday hit out at the ruling PDP-BJP coalition over waving of Pakistani flags in the Valley and emergence of Khalistani posters in Jammu, saying it has not been able to bring "regional balance" in the state.

"Pakistani flags in Kashmir & Khalistani posters in Jammu. This wasn't the regional balance we were promised by the Modi-Mufti accord," Omar wrote on micro blogging site, Twitter.

The Opposition leader also offered condolences on the death of a youth in the clashes in Jammu yesterday over removal of posters of slain Khalistani militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

"My heartfelt condolences to the family of the young man killed by police firing in Jammu today. May his soul rest in peace," Omar said.

A youth was killed and seven people, including three policemen, were injured as clashes erupted yesterday between police and a group of Sikh youth who were protesting against removal of posters.

Abdullah also took a dig at Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after BJP leader and MoS in PMO Jitendra Singh said that the proposed AIIMS hospital sanctioned for the state would come up in Jammu first.

"Another BJP/PDP U-turn. Mufti Sahib????? 'AIIMS to come up in Jammu 'First': Union Minister Jitendra Singh," he tweeted.

The Union government in its budget sanctioned a unit of the premier All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) for Jammu and Kashmir but controversy has since erupted over the location of the super specialty hospital.