National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah was prevented by the authorities from attending a Friday congregation in Srinagar on the occasion of Id-e-Milad , the birth anniversary of prophet Muhammad.
“They [security forces] didn’t allow me to offer [Friday] prayers, despite it being a revered day,” Dr. Abdullah said.
The NC alleged that Dr. Abdullah's residence was blocked by the security forces since Friday morning and termed it an “infringement of the fundamental right to pray.”
“We strongly condemn the actions of the administration. This marks a new low in the curtailment of fundamental rights of the people of J&K. He was slated to go to Hazratbal in order to participate in the religious congregation,” People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) spokesman Sajad Lone said.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the move “exposes the Government of India’s deep paranoia and their iron fist approach towards J&K.”
Gupkar alliance in Kargil
Meanwhile, constituents of the PAGD, in a bid to widen its base, visited Ladakh’s Kargil district on Friday to galvanise support for the pre-August 5 position, the first since the special status of J&K was ended last year. The delegation headed Omar Abdullah met local party leaders, members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil and leaders of religious seminaries “to discuss the current situation in J&K.”
Addressing a public gathering in Drass, Mr. Abdullah said the August 5 decision was forcibly implemented. “We haven’t accepted it and will fight for the restoration of all that has been snatched.”
He said the delegation met leaders of the Kargil Democratic Alliance. “All of us [are] united that the pre-August 5th, 2019 position must be restored,” Mr. Abdullah said. He was accompanied by leaders from the PDP and the Awami National Conference.
“We have come here to assure you [people of Ladakh] about the fight we have started and take you along in this fight. People of Ladakh are in our mind and heart,” Mr. Abdullah said.
This is the first time that leaders from J&K have travelled to Ladakh, which was carved out as a separate Union Territory last year.
