Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Mar 23: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today slammed People’s Democratic Party for unprecedented crackdown on separatist leaders and said it will precipitate fragile situation in Kashmir.
Addressing a joint election meeting of National Conference and Congress in Ganderbal this afternoon, Abdullah said: “Putting Hurriyat leaders under house arrest or under detention will precipitate the already fragile situation rather than solving anything.”
The NC president slammed PDP for “unleashing an unprecedented crackdown” on separatist leaders “at the behest of their masters in New Delhi”. He said the separatists were as usual proceeding on their way to Pak Embassy in New Delhi to attend the Pakistan Day celebrations but the action of the Government to put them behind bars will further compound the stalemate in Kashmir.
Abdullah cautioned the Centre that they cannot “enslave” Kashmiris who have never succumbed to pressure. “People of Kashmir have always fought for their honour and dignity and would continue to do so despite suppression. Stand united and foil all machinations of anti-Kashmir forces”, he said.
The NC president recounted numerous instances of betrayal perpetrated by the PDP leadership in different avtaars and said that PDP came to power in 2002 by promising those brandishing guns that PDP would be their voice in the Assembly. He said when Late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed became the Chief Minister in 2002, he sent out an open message to militant commanders during public meeting in Ganderbal that their role had ended as the PDP had come to power.
“However, soon after taking over the reins of administration, the then Chief Minister unfolded hidden agenda of their masters in New Delhi and made the militant commanders and cadre the first targets”, he said. He urged people to come forward and seal their disapproval against political bigots and hypocrites. He said PDP had pushed Kashmir to the wall and it is now up to the people to reclaim their dignity and respect.
Abdullah recalled the apprehensions he had expressed publicly during 2014 Parliamentary and Assembly elections about dubious characteristics of the PDP, notwithstanding its pretentious anti-BJP campaign, and said time had proved him right and vindicated his stand. He asked as to what had happened to the promises of repealing AFSPA, return of hydel projects, jobs to youth and Kashmiri Pandits return.
“I am cautioning you again this time against treacherous role of the PDP, which is employing all dirty tricks to fool the people again”, he said and exuded confidence that all their ploys will fall flat before the strong will of the people. He exhorted the voters to remain steadfast in their resolve to punish PDP through their power of vote.
Congress leader Tariq Hamid Karra, in his address, said that he begged late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for almost a year not to align with the BJP but he didn’t relent. He said his pleas of BJP perpetrating mayhem with Muslims in Gujarat were ignored for sharing the loaves of power.
Karra said that Mufti Mohammed Sayeed “facilitated the entry of BJP into Kashmir and the RSS cadre” are feeling elated over their success in making the Valley target of their venom.
Senior National Conference leader and MLA Kangan Mian Altaf Ahmed expressed anguish over filing of cases against 300 persons in the Ganderbal district and slapping PSA upon many. He said the people of the State were suffering on all fronts due to misgovernance.
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