Former J&K Chief Minister and Vice-President, National Conference, Omar Abdullah, Saturday said that “regular harassment of youth by security forces” was pushing them towards militancy.
“Our young boys are tortured and interrogated due towhich they feel resentment and join militancy,” he said while addressing agathering in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
“I have repeatedly made it clear that if my partyreturns to power I will revoke Public Safety Act (PSA) to give people respite,as also initiate a process to withdraw stone pelting cases against theyouth,” Omar said, amid a round of applause from the audience at MujahidManzil here.
Omar alleged that some politicians particularly from Pulwama”get the youth detained and later approach the police to set them free.”
On a campaign trail here, the NC candidate for Anantnag LokSabha constituency, Justice Hasnain Masoodi said, “We are confident thatpeople in Pulwama will come out in large numbers and cast their votes for me.Once elected all the issues of the people will be resolved.”
He asked the people to give full fledged support to the NCfor “peace, stability and development of the state”.
While referring to Mehbooba Mufti, Omar said, “The electiontime crocodile tears are political tears whose veracity is under question. Hadthe PDP president and ex Chief Minister shed tears when our youth were devouredupon in 2016, it would have had impact. One may inquire from her as to wherehad her concern for people when the people of Kashmir were subjected to worstof human rights violations, killings, blinding and much more.”
“It was during her tenure that people were used as humanshield. Where was her sympathy and empathy when the people were being blindedand bruised during her tenure?” he asked.
Censuring the BJP government at the centre, he said: “Hadthe BJP government delivered on any of its promises, it would not have stoppedtoo low as to seek votes in the name of Balakot, and Pulwama.”
Referring to Articles 370 and 35A as the “articles of faith”for the National Conference, Omar said these articles give J&K statecertain inalienable rights. “Any move to tamper with these articles will havefar reaching consequences for the state.”
He said it was imperative for the people across the state,in particular the people of south Kashmir, to vote for the NC.
Omar was accompanied by NC provincial president Nasir AslamWani, senior leader Choudhay Muhammad Ramzan, Muhammad Akbar lone, ShammiOberoi, Mir Saifullah, Syed Basharat Bukhari, G N Ratanpori, Dr. Bashir AhmadVeeri, Muhammad Shafi, Shabir Kullay, Salam Ud Din Bajad, Sheikh Muhamad Rafi,Syed Rafiq Shah, Advocate Ahsan Ul Haq, Javaid Rahim Bhat, Nisar Ahmad Nisar.