NEW DELHI, June 19 (Xinhua) -- India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Tuesday pulled out of an alliance government with regional People's Democratic Party (PDP) in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
With the breaking of alliance, the region has automatically come under Indian President's rule.
"It's untenable for BJP to continue in alliance with PDP, hence we are withdrawing," Ram Madhav, BJP general secretary, told media.
Madhav said the deteriorating law and order in the region, increasing radicalization and recent killing of a senior journalist were the reasons for the BJP to end the alliance.
"Violence and radicalization have risen and fundamental rights of the citizens are under danger. Besides, a journalist named Shujaat Bukhari was killed in broad day light in Srinagar, therefore, it was becoming untenable for us to continue," Madhav said. "So we feel the reins of power be handed over to Governor."
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfight between militants and Indian troopers takes place intermittently in the restive region.
