Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, March 29

A former sessions judge, who recently left his job and joined the National Conference (NC), was on Friday found instigating people to chop off the limbs of the forest department staff for ‘blocking some roads in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district’.

The former judge, Syed Tawqeer Ahmad, was addressing a public rally in Matigabran village of the Kokernag area on Friday when he was caught on camera instigating the people.

“I have come to know that the forest department has been blocking some roads for the public. You have my permission, if anyone comes here to do it again, chop off their hands and legs,” Tawqeer, who is also the segment in charge of the NC for Kokernag, can be heard saying.

Following the instigation, Tawqeer is seen assuring people that he will handle things, after they commit the crime.

A video of his speech has gone viral over the social media and is being widely shared over various platforms, creating a major embarrassment for the NC days before the Lok Sabha election.

The NC promptly responded to the incident and maintained that, “The party does not endorse this sort of language or threats.” “The leader has been spoken to and advised to exercise more caution while choosing his words,” a statement by the NC read.

“Tawqeer has assured the party that it was a momentary lapse on his part and will not be repeated. We hope that the matter shuts here,” the NC statement read.

Party issues clarification

The party does not endorse this sort of language or threats. The leader has been spoken to and advised to exercise more caution while choosing his words. Tawqeer has assured the party that it was a momentary lapse on his part and will not be repeated. We hope that the matter shuts here. —National Conference statement