The National Conference (NC) on Saturday said the "spiteful measures" undertaken by the Centre on August 5 last year have "not fared well" in any region of Jammu and Kashmir and the party will fight for the restoration of the unique identity of the erstwhile state.
"The spiteful measures undertaken by the Government of India on August 5th last year have not fared well in any region of Jammu and Kashmir," a spokesperson of the party said in a statement. He added that the NC will fight for the restoration of the unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement came after a meeting of the party functionaries of Srinagar district, presided over by NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, which was held at the party headquarters here — Nawa-e-Subha. This was the first meeting addressed by Sagar in over a year as he was under detention. The spokesperson said in his maiden address to NC workers and functionaries after his release from the year-long incarceration, Sagar expressed gratitude to them for holding the party flag high during the most tumultuous and challenging times post the "unilateral abrogation of the (erstwhile) state's unique constitutional status".
"Our party has survived various watershed moments since its inception on account of its deep-seated connection with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It will continue to mirror the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. No power on earth can brush off the NC from the political scene of Jammu and Kashmir since we draw our sustenance from people. It is the trust of people and the sacrifice of our numerous leaders, workers, associates and delegates that have kept us going," Sagar told the party functionaries. He said time has again proved that the NC is a true representative voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The unity amongst the rank and file of the party, the perseverance and forbearance which was exhibited by our workers, functionaries during the times when the leadership was behind the bars are worth appreciation. Time has again proved that the NC is not just a party, but a movement. "Today, Jammu and Kashmir is at crossroads, democracy has been lent dysfunctional, opposition repressed, political voices dismembered and the economy is in shambles. The onset of a global pandemic has only aggravated the already grim scenario prevailing post the August measures of last year," Sagar said.
Addressing the workers, NC's Kashmir provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said the party, owing to its representative character and deep-rooted bond with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has been in the line of fire from forces that are inimical towards the genuine interests of the people of the Union Territory. "Politics for us is a medium to serve people and give voice to the socio-political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The party has a deep-rooted interest in the socio-political emancipation of the masses of Jammu and Kashmir, exclusive of all prejudices and exclusiveness," he said. Wani said the "tragedy that befell on us" on August 5 last year has "deeply enraged us, but failed to dent our determination". "The way the peace-loving people of Jammu and Kashmir withstood the assault on their identity also merits appreciation. The measures have also not fared well in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. People in every region of Jammu and Kashmir are worrisome about the future of their kids. Far from bringing the promised dividends claimed by the ruling dispensation, the measures have plunged entire Jammu and Kashmir into chaos.
"We, on our part, continue to work on the sacred mission of restoring what was snatched from the people of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 last year. Peace, harmony, equity, equality have long been the star attractions of our politics and will continue to be the cornerstone of our struggle," he said. Meanwhile, the spokesperson said party president Farooq Abdullah held the third and conclusive round of meeting on Saturday with another batch of seven NC leaders, who were under detention or house arrest since August last year.
The leaders who met Abdullah were Bashir Veeri, Irfan Shah, Aga Syed Mahmood, Muhammad Khalil Bandh, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Hilal Lone and Saif Ud Din Bhat, he added. Wani, party treasurer Shammi Oberoi and political advisor to the NC president Mushtaq Guroo were also present on the occasion.
On Wednesday, the NC decided to convene a meeting of its senior leaders on Thursday, after the local administration informed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that none of the 16 leaders, who the party claimed were in illegal confinement, was detained and that they were free to move around. After Thursday's meet, the NC had said the meeting would continue with other leaders on Friday and Saturday.
Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah had filed a bunch of habeas corpus petitions on July 13, seeking the release of 16 NC leaders who the party claimed were in illegal confinement, contending that they were being held in a "brazen violation" of the right to liberty as guaranteed under the Constitution. However, the local administration informed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that none of the 16 leaders was detained and that they were free to move around.
A habeas corpus is a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or a court, especially to secure his release unless lawful grounds are shown for his detention. Filing replies before the court earlier this month, Senior Additional Advocate General Bashir Ahmad Dar said the contention of the pleas was "not only surprising, but shocking as well" as there were neither any legal proceedings underway nor was it being contemplated.
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