SRINAGAR: Newly-elected PDP MLA Mohammad Ashraf Mir, who defeated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from Sonawar constituency in Srinagar, has stoked a controversy with a video showing him firing from assault AK-47 rifle to celebrate his win while Omar has dared police to take action against him.
The video showing Mir firing in air from AK-47 rifle to celebrate his victory over Omar Abdullah in Assembly elections from Sonawar constituency has gone viral on social networking sites and WhatsApp. In the video, PDP’s newly elected member is firing in air from the assault rifle at his residence in Pantha chowk area, nearly a kilometer away from a police station.
Omar had contested from two seats – one from Sonawar, Srinagar and another from Beerwah, Budgam. He won from Beerwah but lost from Sonawar.
Mir defeated Omar from Sonawar seat by a margin of 4783 votes. Mir got 14283 votes while Omar secured only 9500 votes.
Reacting to firing from AK-47 by PDP MLA, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, “The PDP chap let off an AK 47 to celebrate his victory over me. Thank goodness I didn't lose Beerwah! I wonder what they would have fired!”
Omar dared police to register case against the newly elected MLA. “So will J&K police register a case against the gun toting MLA or will they be too scared in case he's a minister a few days from now?”
NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said such reckless, unlawful behavior from an elected lawmaker was unfortunate and unacceptable, especially in a State that had just recovered from a prolonged phase of armed, violent turmoil.
"How can an MLA resort to firing a gun in broad daylight? Apparently the gun was handed over to Mir by a personal security officer of the J&K Police. This behavior is shocking and violates a slew of laws - most of which are non-bailable offences. However, this is not the first time Ashraf Mir has misused his personal security. More recently, Mir used his PSOs to conduct illegal search operations and beat up innocent people in Shalimar the night before the elections in Srinagar,” he said.
Mattu asked police to take appropriate action under law against Mir and register an FIR based on the video evidence.
A senior police officer said law will take its course in the case.
Congress and BJP leaders have also condemned the PDP member for brandishing AK-47 rifle and firing from the assault rifle.