Srinagar, Mar 12: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Thursday held an emergency meeting at the party headquarters to strongly protest and condemn the assassination attempt on party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, terming the incident a “grave and alarming attack” on democratic values.
The meeting was chaired by the party’s General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar and witnessed strong reactions from party leaders, who described the attempt on Dr Farooq’s life as a dangerous conspiracy that demands an immediate and impartial investigation.
Speakers at the meeting asserted that targeting a senior national leader like D. Farooq Abdullah was not merely an attack on an individual but a direct assault on the democratic fabric of the country. They warned that such incidents pose serious questions about security arrangements and urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible without delay.
On the occasion, the party’s Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir moved a resolution condemning the assassination attempt. The resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the participants, called for a comprehensive and transparent probe into the incident, including possible security lapses and negligence, so that the truth behind the conspiracy is brought before the public and similar incidents are prevented in the future.
Party leaders applauded Dr Farooq Abdullah’s long political journey and democratic struggle, describing him as a visionary, farsighted, secular and people-centric leader who has consistently championed communal harmony, brotherhood and democratic values in the region.
They noted that Dr Farooq has served three terms as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, held office as a Union Cabinet Minister and has been elected to the Lok Sabha four times. He has also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha and represented the country at important international forums, including the United Nations and conferences in Geneva.
The speakers recalled that in 1996, when Jammu and Kashmir was passing through one of its most turbulent periods with fear and uncertainty prevailing across the region, the administrative and educational systems severely disrupted, and people facing immense hardships Dr Farooq Abdullah demonstrated remarkable courage and leadership by stepping forward to assume responsibility and playing a decisive role in restoring the democratic process in the state.
The meeting also praised the security personnel and party office bearers and workers whose timely intervention helped save Dr Farooq’s life. Among those who addressed the meeting were General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar, Provincial President Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, senior leaders Haji Mubarak Gul (MLA Eidgah), Shamima Firdous (MLA Habba Kadal), Ali Mohammad Dar (MLA Chadoora), Salman Ali Sagar (MLA Hazratbal), State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Minority Cell Convenor Jagdish Singh Azad and Youth Provincial President Mushtaq Mir.
Also present at the meeting were the party’s Chief Spokesperson and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi (MLA Gurez), Riyaz Bedar (MLA Pattan), Hilal Lone (MLA Sonawari), Women’s Wing Provincial President Engineer Sabiya Qadri, Provincial Secretary Syed Tawqeer Ahmad, District President Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmad, District President Budgam Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Joint Secretary Ghulam Nabi Wani Talibali, Dr Mohammad Saeed Makhdoomi and several other office bearers.
At the conclusion of the meeting, party leaders and workers expressed complete solidarity with Dr Farooq Abdullah and reaffirmed their resolve that the National Conference will continue its struggle for democracy, unity, and the rights of the people under his leadership.
Later the participants also registered a strong protest and demanded that the truth behind the conspiracy be brought before the public. Meanwhile, party units across district, tehsil and block levels also strongly condemned the assassination attempt on the party president.
