Several leaders of the National Conference’s youth wing were arrested here on Wednesday during a rally in protest against the killing of its leader by a village defence committee (VDC) member and against the implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The march was led by its youth wing president, Salman Sagar, and Imran Dar. They led a march towards the city centre, Lal Chowk. The police arrested the leaders and dispersed the demonstrators.
“Our protest is against the slumber of the PDP-BJP government. Our leader was killed in Rajouri by a VDC member. It should be disbanded. Also a significant percentage of the population has been left out of the ambit of the NFSA and people are suffering. We will not allow its implementation in the present form,” said Mr. Sagar, before being arrested.
“The VDCs are just organised criminal groups created by the Union Home Ministry in 1995 when Kashmir was under President’s rule,” said NC provincial spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar.
The party demanded exemplary punishment to the killers of its youth wing activist Ishtiyaq Ahmed Chaudhary, who was shot dead by a VDC member at Kalakote, Rajouri district.
NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani criticised the Mufti Muhammad Sayeed government for “suppressing the voice of the opposition”.
“Is it the same party that had spoken volumes about accommodating voices of dissent,” asked Mr. Wani.
Appointment row
Former Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah took pot shots at the PDP-BJP dispensation over the tussle within the coalition over the appointment of principal of the Government Medical College, Srinagar, and its associate hospitals.
“It’s now a clash of egos & a PDP v/s BJP battle. Who gets to decide what’s correct – the Chief Minister or the Minister concerned??” wrote Mr. Abdullah on Twitter.
“Making a mockery of #GoodGovernance CM J&K appoints 1 Dr as principal of Govt Medical College, Health Minister another. Institution suffers!” said Mr. AbdullahState Health Minister and senior BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh had appointed Dr. Kaiser Ahmad, Head of Department, Paediatrics, as the new Principal of the GMC, Srinagar. Two days later, former Principal Rafeeque Ahmed Pampori, who was on protest leave, too joined back duties as Principal on Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s intervention.