Omar Abdullah targets BJP over denial of permission to visit Rajouri; fears more curbs ahead of Lok Sabha polls
The Hindu
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on February 7 said the gates of his house in Jammu were locked by the police and he was escorted to his office like a “criminal” to stop him from visiting Sunderbani area of Rajouri district.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on February 7 said the gates of his house in Jammu were locked by the police and he was escorted to his office like a “criminal” to stop him from visiting Sunderbani area of Rajouri district.
Taking potshots at the BJP and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh-led administration, the former Chief Minister said, “This has not happened for the first time. And as the (Lok Sabha) elections draw closer, I am sure such curbs will witness a spurt,” he told reporters at the party headquarters in Jammu.
Mr. Abdullah said that the “gates of my house have been locked since this morning” on the pretext of a law and order situation. “I have taken pictures because I know the police will later deny placing curbs on me,” he added.
The National Conference vice-president said that he was planning to visit the Sunderbani area of Rajouri to take part in a party function but was denied permission.
“Even the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) accompanied me to the (party) office like a criminal is being escorted. This is for the first time that the SDPO accompanied me from my house to the office to personally see that my vehicle does not take any other turn,” he said.
The former Chief Minister reiterated his earlier assertion that democracy is not allowed to reach Jammu and Kashmir. “They have once again proved it. They are saying everyone is free to carry out political activities, but it is only for those who are praising the BJP and its government,” Mr. Abdullah said.