Party offices barricaded; JKPC terms curbs ‘Deeply Unfortunate’
Srinagar, May 21:
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference on Wednesday strongly condemned restrictions placed on the movement of its President, Sajad Gani Lone and other senior party leaders, stating that roads were sealed, offices barricaded and even basic access blocked on the martyrdom anniversary of veteran leader Abdul Gani Lone.
The party called the actions “deeply unfortunate,” arguing that preventing people from paying tribute to a leader who gave his life for the people sends the wrong message and undermines democratic values.
In a statement, Sajad Lone said he and his colleagues had planned to visit the Martyrs’ Graveyard to offer Fateha for his father, Shaheed Abdul Gani Lone, who was killed by terrorists on May 21, 2002. “Police personnel arrived early in the morning and informed me that I had been placed under house arrest,” he said.
The party statement added that a gathering planned at the party’s Handwara office was also disrupted after police sealed the premises. Authorities similarly shut down the party headquarters at Jawahar Nagar and President’s office at Church Lane.