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NC delegation meets Farooq, Omar; seeks mainstream political leaders’ release

SRINAGAR: The National Conference demanded release of mainstream leaders under preventive detention to start a political dialogue on Sunday—two months into a continuing clampdown imposed on the state.

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Srinagar, October 6

The National Conference demanded release of mainstream leaders under preventive detention to start a political dialogue on Sunday—two months into a continuing clampdown imposed on the state.

A 15-member delegation that held Farooq and Omar Abdullah—the first time that National Conference leaders met the two since their detention in August—discussed developments in the state and upcoming local body polls during the separate meetings with the two leaders.

The delegation led by Jammu's provincial chief of the party Davinder Singh Rana met former chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Hari Nivas for little over 30 minutes.

Omar, who was sporting a beard, was seen clicking a selfie with party leaders.

The delegation then drove to Farooq Abdullah's residence.

Emerging after the meeting, Rana told reporters that for any political process to begin, the leaders of the party need to be released.

There is "anguish about developments particularly about lockdown of the people and we, as a party, appeal that the political process to start and democracy to revive in Jammu and Kashmir political detenues anywhere and everywhere, whether from mainstream political parties or otherwise who have no criminal record, may be released to initiate the process and the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are won," he said.

He said the party, which has a legacy, history and a chequered track record, was of unanimous view that it would continue to strive for the welfare of the people and shall continue to work for communal harmony, brotherhood, togetherness and keep the secular fabric of the state shining.

On a question about the party's participation in block development committee elections, he said: "See there is a complete lockdown. If the political process has to start then these members have to be released”.

Rana said: "After restrictions on political leaders in Jammu were removed, we held a meeting in which it was decided that we will approach governor (S P Malik) to seek his permission to have an audience with the president and the vice president of the party".

“We are happy they are both well and in high spirits. Of course, they are pained and anguished about developments, particularly lockdown of the people," he said.

Asked about the party's stand on the upcoming Block Development Council (BDC) elections, Rana said for any political process to start in the state, the mainstream political leaders should be released first.

“In case of NC, even if we want to contest the BDC elections, the 380 panchayats that exist, the mandate has to be signed by the party president who has been unfortunately detained under the PSA,” he said.

The NC leader said the party's working committee would decide on the future course of action whenever the party leaders including the NC president and vice-president would be released.

“Let them be released, then the working committee of the party will meet and discuss and then we will formulate a strategy for the future,” Rana said when questioned about the party's future strategy. 

Farooq has been detained at his residence, while his son Omar has been kept at a state guest house, Hari Niwas.   

Jammu’s NC leaders were recently given permission to meet the Abdullahs. While National Conference leaders from Jammu were released from house arrest last week, several in Srinagar are still in detention, which came as part of a clampdown that followed the central government’s reading down of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution on August 5.

Several mainstream political leaders, besides the Abdullahs, are still under preventive detention after the clampdown, which is now two months old.  

The central government not only read down two controversial provisions that gave special status to the state—Article 370 and 35-A—on August 5, but also split the state into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.  The state went into lockdown mode just before the development—restrictions were imposed, communication lines were cut off and several mainstream leaders were put under preventive detention.

The state also invoked the draconian Public Safety Act against Farooq last month—a development that drew condemnation from several critics of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Agencies 

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