MLA slaps J&K Home Minister

SRINAGAR, June 12: In an unusual development, firebrand Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislator from Kashmir, M Y Tarigami, slapped S...

SRINAGAR, June 12: In an unusual development, firebrand Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislator from Kashmir, M Y Tarigami, slapped State Home Minister Ali Mohamad Sagar in public view at the entrance of the Civil Secretariat today.

Securitymen were forced to intervene in the scuffle that ensued between the two flamboyant leaders. According to sources, arguments flared up when Sagar summoned Tarigami’s Personal Security Official (PSO) and asked him why he was not wearing his uniform. The State Home Minister further directed his staff officials to suspend the PSO.

Taking strong objection to the minister’s action, Tarigami reportedly argued that it was futile to take up such minor issues at a time when the state was beset with serious problems. However, Sagar curtly asked the CPI(M) MLA to mind his own business and not to interfere in the working of his department.The argument soon shifted to other issues with Sagar alleging that Tarigami had only won the Assembly seat with the support of the National Conference. At this, the CPI(M) MLA reportedly lost his restraint and slapped Sagar. An infuriated State Home Minister and his supporters barged into Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s office to lodge their protest against the assault. Sagar had recently ordered all securitymen in the state to wear their uniforms so that armed militants masquerading as PSOs could be spotted easily.