BJP targets government over unemployment and power issues; NC hits back over statehood; slogans of protest echo from Lal Chowk to Rajbagh.

BJP targets government over unemployment and power issues; NC hits back over statehood; slogans of protest echo from Lal Chowk to Rajbagh.

Political temperatures are soaring in Srinagar… The ruling National Conference and the opposition BJP took to the streets on the same day… Both parties staged protests against each other… The situation necessitated the installation of barricades across Srinagar and the deployment of heavy police and security forces… The BJP announced a plan to lay siege to the Civil Secretariat in protest against the Omar Abdullah government… In a counter-move, the National Conference decided to lay siege to the BJP office… Essentially, the atmosphere in Srinagar today was defined by a clash of protests and a war of words. In light of these protests, the administration stepped up security in sensitive areas… When BJP workers marched towards the Civil Secretariat, the police stopped them using barricades.