The Hindu : National : Omar threatens mass resignation of councillors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 12, 2005

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National

Omar threatens mass resignation of councillors

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, FEB. 11. The National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, today threatened mass resignation of party councillors and corporators if the Government failed to provide security for them.

Their security threat had increased manifold after militants gunned down four councillors, including the party's candidate for the post of Srinagar Mayor.

Mr. Abdullah said the Government was adopting a casual approach even after those who braved threats and became part of the electoral process were being liquidated."They have not made any security arrangement for the councillors. They have been asked to stay in the local police stations during nights. In certain cases, the local Superintendent of Police is frequently asking them to contact him in case of any problem," he told a news conference here.

Stating that the conditions were not conducive for holding the civic polls at all, he said it was the most difficult decision the party had to take. "We participated after the Government insisted that the exercise was aimed at improving the municipal affairs and was totally apolitical and security would be provided to the elected representatives. But now it is clear the elections were held in haste without proper application of mind." The Government should have made arrangements to protect them. They are still indecisive on the subject, he said.

Lying in wait

"... I wonder how a person will contact the police when he finds two militants waiting for him in a lane?" he asked.

Taking strong exception to statements issued by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi about the civic polls, he said "the interference is unnecessary."

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