NC’S ALL-PARTY MEET DISALLOWED
Curfew-like restrictions remained in force in Srinagar on Wednesday as authorities foiled plans of the National Conference to hold an all-party meeting on the first anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir losing its statehood and special constitutional status, but BJP cadres held symbolic celebrations to mark the day.
The official curfew was lifted on Tuesday evening but there was no easing of restrictions across the valley on the day when a year ago Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to the state was revoked and it was transformed into a Union Territory.
Authorities said the restrictions were imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Police and CRPF personnel were deployed across the valley, especially Srinagar city, to ensure there were no demonstrations to disturb the peace, officials said.
They said police vehicles with public address systems went around localities announcing imposition of strict restrictions for combating Covid-19 spread.
Former CM Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to say the authorities in Kashmir did not allow the meeting called by his father and NC chairman Farooq Abdullah to take place. "One year on, this is Gupkar road today — police vehicles opposite our gates, concertina wire strung across the road at regular intervals and no vehicles allowed. My father had called a meeting of leaders of MAINSTREAM parties to deliberate on the current situation," Omar tweeted.
In a veiled reference to a statement by BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav earlier politicians should step up their activities, Omar said, "Clearly the meeting is not being allowed to go ahead. The BJP gets to announce a 15-day celebration to mark
August 5 and a handful of us aren't allowed to meet on my father's lawn. So much for BJP national leaders wondering why there is no political activity".
Omar said that the authorities were "still too afraid" to allow them to meet or carry out any normal political activity.
CPI(M) leader Tarigami tweeted "locks on gates, lock downs as celebrations and lies as defences has been the hallmark of last year. Today, political leaders were supposed to meet at Dr Farooq Abdullah's residence to discuss the political challenges the region is facing. But unfortunately, we were not allowed."
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's twitter handle, being operated by her daughter Iltija, said, "until the restoration of the special position of J&K, August 5 will be observed as Black Day. This is the issue of our identity and existence, this is the battle of all of us that we have to fight collectively."