NC takes out protest march in Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: The Jammu unit of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) led by Provincial president, Rattan Lal Gupta today staged a strong protest march in Jammu city, condemning the assassination attempt on the NC president and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah at Greater Kailash in Jammu last night.
The protest march led by Gupta, started from the party’s Provincial headquarters, near JKDTC Complex and passed through the busy markets of Raghunath Bazar and Residency Road before culminating at City Chowk, where party leaders and workers raised slogans demanding strict action against the assailant.
Senior party leader and additional general secretary Ajay Sadhotra, along with several other leaders and party activists, participated in the protest. Demonstrators carried placards, condemning the attack and called for exemplary punishment for those responsible. They also raised slogans against the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Earlier in the day, a resolution was passed at party office Jammu condemning the attack and demanding a thorough investigation into the incident. The resolution also sought a probe into the absence of local police personnel in and around the venue where Dr Abdullah had gone to attend a marriage function at the time of the incident. The party further demanded the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the Union Government and the Lieutenant Governor administration have failed to ensure the safety and security of the people in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Sadhotra strongly condemned the attack and demanded immediate and stern action against the perpetrator. He stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation to uncover any hidden hands behind the incident. He also called for enhanced security arrangements for Dr Abdullah.
Addressing the gathering, RL Gupta expressed serious concern over the prevailing security situation in the Union Territory. He said that if a senior and prominent leader like Dr Farooq Abdullah could be targeted, it raised grave questions about the safety of ordinary citizens.
“If the tallest leader of Jammu and Kashmir like Dr Farooq Sahib is not safe and a gun could reach his neck, then who is safe in the region?” Gupta asked.
“The person behind this attack must be given exemplary punishment, and the agencies must uncover the individuals and organisations involved in this conspiracy,” he said.
Similar protest demonstrations were also organised by National Conference workers at district headquarters across Jammu province, where party cadres voiced strong condemnation of the incident and demanded accountability from the authorities.
The prominent leaders Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Abdul Gani Malik, Dr Kamal Arora, Bimla Luthra, Pardeep Bali, Ayub Malik, Vijay Lochan, Abdul Gani Teli, Tejinder Pal Singh Aman, Satwant Kour Dogra, Harshvardhan Singh, Rajni Devi, Qazi Jalal Ud Din, Chander Mohan Sharma, Subash Chander Bhagat, Naresh Bittu, Sudagar Gupta, Pooja Thakur, Dr Shamshad Shan and others said that authorities must ensure adequate security cover for senior leaders who remain active in public life.
Kashmir unit of National Conference held an emergency meeting at the party headquarters to strongly protest and condemn the assassination attempt on party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, terming the incident a “grave and alarming attack” on democratic values.
The meeting was chaired by the party’s general secretary Ali Mohd Sagar and witnessed strong reactions from party leaders, who described the attempt as a dangerous conspiracy that demands an immediate and impartial investigation.
Speakers at the meeting asserted that targeting a senior national leader like Farooq Abdullah was not merely an attack on an individual but a direct assault on the democratic fabric of the country. They warned that such incidents pose serious questions about security arrangements and urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible without delay.
Provincial president Showkat Ahmad Mir moved a resolution condemning the assassination attempt. The resolution, called for a comprehensive and transparent probe into the incident.
Among others present included Mubarak Gul, Shamima Firdous, Tanvir Sadiq, Nazir Gurezi, Ali Mohd Dar, Salman Ali Sagar, Imran Nabi Dar, JS Azad, Mushtaq Mir and others.
A delegation of JKPCC headed by working president Raman Bhalla, on the instructions of PCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, today met Dr Farooq Abdullah, at his residence at Bhathindi today and expressed solidarity with him and heaved a sigh of relief that he escaped unhurt in a serious assassination bid on his life last night.
The delegation comprised former Ministers Mula Ram and Yogesh Sawhney, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, former MLCs Ved Mahajan and Th Balbir Singh. The Congress leaders extended good wishes to him on behalf of the party and shared their great concern over the serious security breach.
Later, talking to reporters outside the gate Congress leaders strongly condemned the incident and raised serious questions over the security breach, leading to the serious assassination bid on the life of highly protected leader. They demanded an in-depth investigation into the whole matter.
Karra also spoke to Dr Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the issue and expressed concern over the security lapse. Karra said there is no place for the politics of hate and violence in the democracy. He also informed that AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge strongly raised the issue of attack on Dr Faroopq Abdullah in the Union Parliament.
Meanwhile, National Conference MP Mian Altaf on Thursday condemned the attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah last night at Greater Kailash in Jammu during a marriage function and sought high level probe into the matter.
Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohd Yousuf Tarigami also strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Abdullah in Jammu. Tarigami said that there must be thorough and honest investigation into the incident. He said there should be complete clarity and not a half-hearted inquiry.
Former Union Minister Prof Saifuddin Soz while expressing serious concern over the assassination attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah and demanded detailed inquiry. He said Dr Abdullah has given Z plus security and even then accused managed to reach closer to Abdullah. He termed the incident as serious `security lapse’.
Former Chief Minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti expressed serious concern over the firing incident involving Dr Farooq Abdullah and said the violence has no place in politics and democracy. She said such incidents reflect the growing insecurity and tension in the region and called for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability
Former Minister Ajatshatru Singh has strongly condemned the cowardly attack on former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah last evening and said that such acts of violence have no place in democratic society. He demanded a detailed inquiry into the case.
J&K unit of BJP on Thursday strongly condemned the attack on Dr Farooq DyCM Surinder Choudhary, describing it unfortunate and democratic values. The BJP leaders led by party spokesperson Adv Sunil Sethi during the meeting, expressed serious concern over the issue and demanded that strict action should be taken in accordance with the law against the culprit.
The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, president, Arun Gupta also strongly condemned the incident and said that violence has no place in democracy. He demanded probe and said that truth should come out.
J&K High Court Bar Association president, Nirmal Kotwal, alongwith his team condemned the reported attempt on the life of veteran political leader and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah. Kotwal urged the Union Govt to take cognizance of the issue and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
Chairman, Sikh United Front, Sudershan Singh Wazir, also condemned attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah and said that the culprits should not be spared. He sought thorough investigation into the case.
DDC Member from Suchetgarh, T S Tony termed the assassination attempt on Dr Farooq Abdullah as a shocking security breach and a wake up call that exposes the deep flaws and political bias in the current security policy. The incident is deeply disturbing as the VIP with Z Plus security is not safe. He sought thorough probe into the matter.
Meanwhile, senior NC leader Ch Walidad, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Gupta, BSP president from J&K Darshan Rana, Shiv Sena leader Manish Sawhney, Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) Jammu, J&K Congress Kissan Cell Chairman Bharat Priye, Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Former minister and People’s Conference leader Abdul Gani Vakil, NC leader Rajesh Gupta, BADC chairman and former Vice Chancellor Dr Shahzad Malik and SBSP state president, Vivek Bali also condemned the attack on Dr Farooq Abdullah and demanded inquiry into the matter.
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