Srinagar, Mar 12: National Conference (NC) Thursday held an emergency meeting at the party headquarters to strongly protest and condemn the assassination attempt on party president Farooq Abdullah, terming the incident a “grave and alarming attack” on democratic values.
The meeting was chaired by the party’s General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and witnessed strong reactions from party leaders, who described the attempt on Abdullah’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 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 NC 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.
NC leaders applauded 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 said that Abdullah 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 said 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, 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 Abdullah’s life.
NC General Secretary, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial President Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, senior leaders Mubarak Gul (MLA Eidgah), Shamima Firdous (MLA Habba Kadal), Ali Muhammad Dar (MLA Chadoora), Salman Ali Sagar (MLA Hazratbal), NC state spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, Minority Cell Convenor Jagdish Singh Azad and Youth Provincial President Mushtaq Mir addressed the meeting.
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, and Mohammad Saeed Makhdoomi were also present at the meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting, party leaders and workers expressed complete solidarity with 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.
NC also staged a protest march in Jammu against the attack on its president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, demanding a thorough probe into the incident and “restoration of law and order”.
Carrying NC flags and placards reading “Restore law and order” and “Probe the firing incident”, hundreds of workers and leaders began their protest march from the party headquarters, Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan, in Jammu.
Raising slogans “We want justice” and “Farooq Abdullah zindabad”, the protesters marched towards the city centre.
The Police stopped them at Raghunath Bazaar, leading to a brief jostling as security personnel prevented them from moving ahead.
However, some protesters managed to move towards City Chowk, where they staged a brief dharna before dispersing.
Talking to reporters, former minister and senior NC leader Ajay Sadhotra termed the incident a “major security lapse”.
“They had gone to attend a wedding. Farooq Sahab, the deputy chief minister, and other senior leaders were present, but there was not even a single security person at the venue. How could a person carrying a weapon enter the premises if proper checking was being conducted?” he said.
Sadhotra said that the situation could have turned into a “major tragedy” if the personal security staff with Abdullah had not intervened in time.
“The attacker took out the pistol, but the security personnel behind Farooq Sahab immediately pulled him back and the shot went into the air,” he said.
He demanded that law and order be placed under the control of the chief minister so that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir improves.
NC’s provincial president, Jammu region, Ratan Lal Gupta also condemned the attack, saying it raised serious concerns about the safety of political leaders.
“If a leader like Farooq Sahab is not safe, then what will happen to ordinary people? He has always advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and communal harmony,” Gupta said.
NC women’s wing leader Bilma Luthra said the protest was meant to highlight concerns over “deteriorating” law and order. “The purpose of our protest is that law and order should be strengthened and placed under Omar Sahab so that people can live in a safe environment,” she said.
