Dr Farooq Abdullah chairs NC’s CWC meeting

‘Intolerance is at its peak, reiterated to continue fighting for J&Ks abridged constitutional and democratic rights back, calls for an enabling environment for press, Condemns blast in Srinagar, Udhampur, no concrete step taken following PMs All Party Meet’

Srinagar, 09 March: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Central working Committee met here at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Srinagar.

The meeting was presided over by the Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah. Among others the Party Vice President Omar Abdullah, General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, Addl General Secretary Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial Presidents Nasir Aslam Wani, Ratan Lal Gupta, Senior Leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Mubarak Gul, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzaan, Ajay Sadhodtra, Shameema Firdous, Sakina Itoo, Muhammad Akbar Lone, Hasnain Masoodi, Mir Saifullah, Aga Mehmood, Ram Paul, Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Javed Rana, AG Malik, Bimla Luthra, Lakshmi Dutta, Chaman Lal Gupta, Imran Nabi Dar were also present in the meeting.

During the course of the meeting the individual members gave their estimation of the prevailing situation with regards to the deteriorating security situation, development deficit and the rising tide of intolerance against contrarian views in J&K and their respective areas in particular.

The CWC unanimously resolved that intolerance in J&K is at its peak saying that this is not how pluralistic democracies work. The clamp down in the case of working journalists and media personalities is more insidious. CWC unanimously condemned the muzzling of the press and called upon the government to release all incarcerated journalists.

The trend of rolling out criminal charges and intimidation against journalists, the members said, is highly deplorable. Asking the GOI to refrain from using state apparatus from arm twisting and intimidating journalists, the members said there is complete intolerance of even a single critical word. The members demanded revocation of all charges against journalists and also sought immediate release of those who are undergoing confinement. The members also expressed deep concern over the environment of political intolerance.

The CWC also condemned the series of blasts in Srinagar and Udhampur and expressed sympathies with the victim families, whose loved ones were killed in the incidents. They noted that the escalating levels of violence in J&K is alarming and is contrary to the claims of the government on the return of peace to the region. Condemning the violence, the members said that there is no place of violence in emancipated societies.

Condemning the failure of the administration to reach out to the people of J&K, the CWC maintained that nothing has changed on ground. The much touted promises on employment generation, development and investment have proved hollow.

The CWC reiterated to fight using all peaceful, legal and democratic means to have the changes of 05 Aug 2019 reversed. They maintained that there can be no trade-off between the political aspirations and development needs of people and that both should go hand in hand.

CWC also sought to remind PM Modi about his much touted Dil Ki doori aur Dilli se Doori remark in the All Party Meet in New Delhi in June 2021 saying nothing much has been done towards achieving that end. Neither were the hearts connected nor was the distance between J&K and Delhi bridged. CWC regretted that the meeting did not translate into any concrete steps and follow up by GoI.