Srinagar, Sept. 23 -- Srinagar- The controversy over the withdrawal of books from government educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir intensified on Wednesday, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo defending the removal of banned titles, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioning the role of the elected government in such decisions, and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq seeking greater transparency.

Dulloo said books banned under provisions of law should not be kept in government schools and colleges, describing the examination of books as a regular process.

"Banned books, which the government has banned under provisions of law, should not be in government schools or colleges. The government has taken this decision," he said whil...