The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday lambasted the Jammu and Kashmir government for recommending Ghulam Mohammad Mir, a counter-insurgent for Padma Shri award.
Mir figured on the list of awardees for the prestigious award for this year.
In a statement, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said Mir was 'a criminal' and 'violator of human rights' and "by recommending him, the state government has disrespected not only the award, but also those who have already been conferred with such award'.
"It is unfortunate that a criminal has also been included in the list of those who have been awarded for the contribution in different fields."
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, denied that his government had recommended Mir for the award.