Jammu, August 20: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was again denied permit to enter into Jammu & Kashmir amid the ongoing tensions in the state. The former J&K chief minister was turned away at the Jammu airport, and forced to board a flight back to New Delhi. This was the second time within a fortnight when the J&K administration denied Azad the permission to visit the state.

"Azad sahib had arrived from Delhi at around 2.45 pm and was not allowed to move out from the airport and forcibly sent back in a return flight to Delhi at 4.10 pm," J&K Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said. Twitter Suspends 200 Pakistan Accounts After Anti-India Tweets on Kashmir

Azad was, on August 8, sent back from the Srinagar airport where he arrived after taking a flight from New Delhi. The Governor Satya Pal Malik-led administration had then cited law and order concerns, along with the possibility that Azad may stoke political resentment, as the reason for sending him back.

On being disallowed to visit his own state, the veteran Congress leader lashed out at the Centre, accusing it of subverting democracy in the state. "It's not right for democracy. If mainstream political parties won’t visit, then who will go? Three former CMs J&K are already under house arrest and one former CM of J&K not being allowed to enter the state, it is a sign of intolerance," he said.

Notably, former J&K chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been taken into arrest, whereas, Farooq Abdullah -- another ex-CM -- has been placed under house arrest.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had last week lashed out at Governor Malik, asking him why mainstream political leaders are being barred from visiting J&K if the situation is "normal". The Gandhi scion further sought his permission to visit the Valley.

The Governor, while agreeing to allow him to visit the state, said his request was subject to clearance from law enforcement bodies. In another statement issued by the Raj Bhawan, it said that the police and administration is yet to decide on Gandhi's plea as it is loaded with "pre-conditions".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2019 07:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).