NC, BJP workers clash in Gurez rally

BANDIPORA — A rally organized by the National Conference (NC) in the Gujran area of Tulail in the Gurez Assembly segment of northern Kashmir’s Baramulla district turned violent as party workers clashed with those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Recently elected legislator Nazir Ahmed Khan, popularly known as Nazir Gurezi, was scheduled to address the rally when tensions escalated between supporters of both parties. Eyewitnesses, quoted by the news agency KNT, said that provocative slogans sparked the confrontation, leading to stone-pelting and injuries.

Over a dozen people from both sides were injured, with some critically hurt workers shifted to a Srinagar hospital for treatment.

NC’s Nazir Gurezi alleged that BJP workers initiated the violence without provocation, while Ajaz Faqeer Khan, the son of BJP’s defeated candidate and DDC Tulail countered that NC workers started the stone-pelting.

Police promptly intervened, firing tear gas shells to restore order. A case has been registered under relevant sections of law to investigate the incident.

The clash follows the recent Gurez elections, where NC’s Nazir Khan defeated BJP’s Faqeer Muhammad Khan by 1,132 votes. The election results saw Nazir Khan secure 8,378 votes, followed by Faqeer Khan’s 7,246 votes.