Farooq, Omar refuse legal aid to win ‘freedom’

Srinagar, Oct 21: Incarcerated National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah has refused legal aid from their party colleagues, to free them from the jail.

Talking to The Kashmir Monitor, National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag constituency, Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi said both Farooq and Omar asked the party delegation, which met them on October 6, to first provide legal aid to other incarcerated leaders before taking up their case.

“We had asked Omar sahab and Farooq sahab that the party will file a petition challenging their detention. Both of them took a principal stand that they won’t challenge their detention. Both the leaders said that they will not accept legal remedy till other political leaders in the valley are freed,” he said.

Masoodi said other top leaders of the party echoed similar views that detainees lodged in jails of the valley and outside state should be freed first. “Though we didn’t consult others including Sagar sahib. But all of them will be of the same opinion that was expressed by Omar sahab and Farooq sahab,” he said.

Masoodi however noted they haven’t decided about the future course of action to free the detained leaders.  “They (Omar and Farooq) only enquired about the condition of other detained leaders (during our meeting),”he said.

Omar and Farooq along with other party colleagues were detained on August 5, when Centre abrogated article 370 and bifurcated the state into two union territories.

While Farooq, who was slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA), is detained in his house, Omar is detained in Hari Niwas Palace, which has been designated as sub jail.

Masoodi said that no party activity was going within the state as their leadership is in jail. “Our entire leadership, who can take decisions, is detained. As of now party workers and supporters are not active,” he said.

Apart from the NC leaders, heads of other parties including PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, People Conference’s Sajad Gani Lone, and J&K Peoples Movement’s Shah Faesal too are detained along with their party members in Srinagar’s Centaur hotel.

Barring BJP, all the three main political parties including NC, Congress and PDP have decided not to take part in the Block Development Council (BDC), which are scheduled to be held on November 24. These parties have cited that the election would benefit BJP only when the leadership of all other parties is detained in Kashmir.

Mamata wishes Farooq on b’day

Srinagar, Oct 21:  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday assured support in “difficult times” to former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on his birthday.

She also wished him good health and urged him to “stay positive”.

Mamata took to Twitter to wish the National Conference (NC) chief and wrote, “Birthday wishes to Farooq Abdullah Ji. These are difficult times for you. We stand by you. Please stay positive. We pray for your good health.”

She also tagged his son and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah in her tweet.

Farooq Abdullah was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) after the removal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5.

While the NC chief continues to remain under house arrest nearly three months after the abrogation of Article 370, Omar is housed at the Hari Niwas state guest house in Srinagar.