Farooq, Omar criticise ‘arrests’ of NC workers

Srinagar, May 13

Three generations of Abdullah family today voted at a polling booth at Burn Hall School here.

National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah, party Vice President Omar Abdullah and his two sons Zahir and Zamir cast their votes in the polling both. While Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have cast their votes there in past elections also, it was for the first time that Zahir and Zamin voted.

Talking to media persons , Omar said he and his father are having with them the first-time voters “ It is for the first time that three generations of our family are voting together,” he said.

The NC President stated that voting is the only democratic way by people to raise their voice against the abrogation of Article 370 and other related decisions. He reiterated his allegation that NC workers were being arrested and harassed. Omar said that his party has provided to the Election Commission the names of eight of its workers . “ We are not talking without proof. It was not an exhaustive list but an indicative list. We gave the details of police stations where they were taken. We did not accuse a particular officer, we have said that it was being done by the administration,” he said.

Omar described as a big joke the allegation of Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari that his party workers were also arrested. “All these arrests and harassment is being done to benefit Apni Party. Who else is here to contest for the Centre,” NC President said.

NC President alleged that important workers of several political parties were detained over the past two days.

Dr Farooq stated that he could not cast vote in 2014 as he was in hospital. “I am happy that I am before you here. But there is a regret that while they say everything is normal and elections are free, they have arrested key workers of several political parties, mostly National Conference, over the past two days,” he said.