Video on PDP MLA Mir stokes controversy

SRINAGAR: PDP MLA Mohammad Ashraf Mir, who scored a victory over Omar Abdullah from Sonawar Assembly seat, has stoked a controversy after a video surfaced purportedly showing him firing several rounds from an automatic rifle on the day of Assembly poll results.

The video, which has gone viral on social networking applications like WhatsApp, shows the People’s Democratic Party leader purportedly firing several rounds in air from an AK-47 rifle at his residence.

However, Mir denied having fired any rounds and accused his political rivals of producing a doctored video.

“I did not fire any rounds … there was a commotion following my victory and the rifle of one of my PSOs (personal security officer) fell on ground which I retrieved and handed it back to him,” Mir told PTI.

Mir defeated Omar from Sonawar assembly segment by a margin of over 4,700 votes, becoming the first politician in Jammu and Kashmir to register a victory over an incumbent Chief Minister. Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) condemned Mir’s act, saying such “reckless and unlawful behavior” from an elected lawmaker was “unfortunate and unacceptable”.

“Such reckless and unlawful behavior from an elected lawmaker is unfortunate and unacceptable, especially in a state that has just recovered from a prolonged phase of armed, violent turmoil,” NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said.

“We demand that the Police takes appropriate action against Mir and immediately registers an FIR based on the video,” he added. -PTI