Srinagar, Nov. 30 -- Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone delivered a sharply worded response to reports hinting at possible changes in the Union Territory's reservation framework, saying he had "no idea whether to believe the Indian Express report about reservations" yet the very apprehensions he voiced months ago now appeared to be unfolding.

Recalling his July 3 warning, Lone said he had long feared that "whatever changes, if any, are made will come at the cost of the Kashmiri speaking population".

He asserted that even the BJP, during its tenure, refrained from tampering with the Reserved Backward Area category.

"I can say it on authority that in the BJP reign, while taking a decision on reserva...