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Govt disallows gathering at Sheikh’s graveyard: NC, ANC criticizes move

MAJID NABI. Dated: 12/6/2019 12:12:42 AM

SRINAGAR, Dec 5: Authorities today imposed restrictions on the assembly of people intending to pay homage to NC founder and former Chief Minister, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at his graveyard at Naseem Bagh here.
Besides deployment of police and paramilitary forces, spools of concertina wires were placed around the mausoleum of Sheikh Abdullah and the road from either side was closed for vehicular movement.
Only one person at a time was allowed to enter inside the graveyard to offer ‘fateh khwani’ to NC founder on his 114th birth anniversary. Officials said that since prohibitory orders on more than one person are still in place, the step to disallow mass gathering of people was taken in consideration with prevailing situation in the valley.
Barring few senior party leaders and eldest daughter of NC founder, Suraya Abdullah, other family members and relatives were purportedly disallowed to visit the mausoleum.
National Conference and Awami National Conference, while criticizing the present dispensation for imposing curbs in and around the graveyard and barring people to pay homage to late NC leader, said that Center’s claim that everything is normal in Kashmir stands exposed.
ANC President and daughter of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Begum Khalida Shah who also intended to visit her father’s graveyard along with her family were disallowed by the police.
“We had informed SSP Security through our security officials that I along with my other family members want to pay homage to my father at his graveyard. However, our plea was turned down citing security reasons. Not to talk of either the living or the dead ones still send shivers down the spine to Modi-led BJP government,” said Khalida Shah.
She alleged that BJP and RSS are bent upon changing the demographic character of Jammu and Kashmir and the drama of abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A was offshoot of the nefarious plans of erstwhile Jana Sangh now RSS.
“Majority of people in all three provinces of Jammu and Kashmir rejected this unilateral decision which was implemented through barrel of the gun and gross violation of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
NC senior leader and Parliamentarian retired Justice Hasnain Masoodi termed as ‘dictatorial’ move to impose restrictions in and around graveyard and barring people to pay obeisance to NC founder.
“This is unfortunate that people were barred to visit graveyard of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. We condemn it in strong words, with this move governments claims that everything is normal in Kashmir stand badly exposed,” said Masoodi after paying homage to Sheikh Abdullah.
Regarding continuous ban on use of internet, he said suspending one of the basic requirements for such a long time speaks volumes about what happens on ground in Kashmir.