Protestors and stone-throwers had virtually turned Srinagar’s Hazratbal-Naseem Bagh area into a separatist zone a few months ago. But on Sunday, it played host to National Conference (NC), which held its first public rally in Srinagar since the June 11 unrest.
Residents of far-flung areas thronged the venue to listen to NC leaders, including president Farooq and chief minister Omar Abdullah on the occasion of the 105th birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Ghulam Mohammad, 60, had braved bone-chilling cold and travelled 40 km from Hajin in north Kashmir.
“There are several enemies who want NC to be obliterated. Today, we have come here to support our leaders and strengthen the party again,” he said.
Such was the rush that it almost triggered a stampede at the venue. The mega rally gave Farooq and Omar much needed respite in the wake of two pronged attacks by separatists and opposition PDP over the death of 110 people, mostly in firing by police and security forces.
Emboldened, Farooq hit out at separatists, particularly Huriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
“I want to know what kind of Kashmir Geelani wants... Kashmir of graveyards! In the five months of hartals and stone-pelting the poor became poorer. They could not earn, schools were shut. What answer they will give to students?” he said.
Farooq asserted that Kashmir will never become part of Pakistan. “India will not leave an inch of Kashmir. However, they shall have to grant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Omar said he was working for removal of AFSPA from areas it was not required.
