Srinagar, Dec 05 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party President, Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah Sunday led party functionaries in offering Fatiha and floral tributes at the final resting place of Baba-e-Qoum, Sher-e Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on his 116th birth anniversary at Qaid Mazar Hazratbal.
The duo reached Qaid Mazar earlier today and led scores of party functionaries in offering floral tributes and Fatiha at the final resting place of Sher e Kashmir. The occasion was marked by overwhelming participation of workers from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. A Majlis of Quran Khawani and Durood-o-Azkar was also held at the Mazar earlier, where party functionaries, delegates and workers prayed for eternal peace to the soul of the great benefactor of theirs. Among scores of senior party leaders, functionaries Party General Secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani were also present on the occasion.
Later Dr Farooq Abdullah addressed a massive convention of Youth National Conference workers at the same venue. In his address he exhorted the YNC cadre to work shoulder to shoulder with the parent wing and take party programme to every nook and corner of the valley. He thanked the party, YNC Kashmir functionaries for putting on a massive show in spite of the incessant rains. The YNC convention was organized by YNC Provincial President Salman Ali Sagar.
Promising to continue with the party’s peaceful, constitutional and democratic struggle for the restoration of Articles 370, 35-A, Dr. Farooq said, “In last eleven months hundreds of farmers have lost their lives which forced the central government to repeal the contentious farm laws. We also have to make such sacrifices to have our rights back. We have not budged from our stated position on the restoration of our rights which were undemocratically, unconstitutionally snatched from us on 5th of August 2019.”
Rejecting the claims of the Union Government on development in Jammu and Kashmir, he said “As if tourism is everything. What about the thousands of Jobs they had promised? Where are they? Contrarily the administration is on a termination spree of in-service employees,” he added.
Speaking about the pressure on media and press, he said, “If any one writes anything, it is not being liked. Journalists are being summoned to police stations. How can the press work freely under such circumstances?” he said.
On the Hyderpora Shootout, he said, “three innocent men were killed and their bodies were returned after the people got united and raised their voices. Parents of one of the slain youth are still waiting for his body to be handed over to them. It is for us to hold them accountable for their actions. That requires us to raise our voice steadfastly,” he said.
Cautioning the YNC cadre, he said, “It is our unity that frets them. We will only be able to achieve our goals if we remain united and not let ourselves be swayed by their nefarious propaganda. Such parties are here to divide our voice. Our victory is embodied in our unity. Need of the hour calls for strengthening our rows.”
Meanwhile Party General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar has expressed gratitude to the scores of functionaries, delegates and workers and YNC, women’s wing functionaries for making it a point to be present on the occasion despite the inclement weather conditions. (KNS)