Jammu & Kashmir Pushed Into ‘Unprecedented’ Crisis: National Conference

FILE PHOTO: While Sajad Gani Lone said Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India and should be treated on a par with the rest of the country, Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the voice of anyone speaking about the Constitution is being crushed

The National Conference (NC) on Wednesday expressed concern over the continued detention of political leaders and said “the worrisome political stalemate for over 111 days speaks volumes about the lack of understanding and insensitivity of the ruling dispensation that has pushed Jammu and Kashmir into an unprecedented crisis”.

It sought immediate restoration of political activity by lifting curbs and releasing all leaders, including its president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah, saying “the democracy being in peril in this part of the country is in nobody’s interest”.

In a joint statement issued from its headquarters in Jammu, NC leaders, including provincial president Devender Singh Rana and several former ministers and legislators, expressed concern over the continued detention of political leaders and communications blockade in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There could be nothing ironical than the fact that the loudest representative voice from Jammu and Kashmir has been choked in the ongoing session of Parliament by putting (a) towering political leader of the country and senior MP Farooq Abdullah under detention,” the release said.

It said the continued political detentions in the Valley are not in consonance with the democratic polity and ethos of the largest democracy of the world.

“Worrisome political stalemate for over 111 days speaks volumes about the lack of understanding and insensitivity of the ruling dispensation that has pushed J&K into unprecedented crisis,” it said.

The NC leaders said by resorting to “undemocratic measures”, the government has limited the democratic space of the people. They pitched for restoring civil liberty and allowing freedom of speech as enshrined in the Construction.

“Sagacity demands that all the political leaders be released forthwith as a first step towards restoration of democratic activity and communication restored, absence of which has hugely impacted all segments of society, especially students, traders and patients,” the NC said, adding “democracy being in peril in this part of the country is in nobody’s interest”.