August 9, 1953 a black day in JK’s history: NC

We demand complete restoration of Internal Autonomy: Sheikh Nazir

Commemorating, what it said, the sacrifices and 22-year-long struggle of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah for the dignity of this State and its people, National Conference termed August 9 August 1953 as a black day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
“On this day Prime Minister of J&K, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was surrounded by the Army and arrested after his popular government was illegally dismissed by Karan Singh under a deep-rooted political intrigue to erode the special status of the State,” a National Conference statement said on Friday.
“After illegal overthrow of popular NC Government, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was taken to Udhampur and imprisoned in Tara Niwas Palace in the scorching summer heat while Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad was illegally and unconstitutionally sworn in as the new puppet Prime Minister of the State,” it added.
Stating on August 9, 1953, a prolonged constitutional and political assault was launched on the status and sovereignty of J&K, NC leader, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed said Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was an epitome of selfless nationalism, patriotism and sacrifices for the cause of his nation’s dignity. “Sheikh Sahib chose imprisonment over toeing to Delhi’s line at a time when New Delhi wanted to erode Article 370 and put in place a pliant puppet in Srinagar. Had this coup not taken place in 1953, Kashmir would not have witnessed the haunting turmoil and loss of lives that it did,” Sheikh Nazir said.
 “Bakshi, who was installed to erode Article 370 in his very first speech said that Sheikh Sahib was displaced and arrested as he wanted to form a free state of Jammu & Kashmir. Former IB Director, B N Mullick has also said that Jawahar Lal Nehru supported and endorsed Sheikh’s arrest and overthrow on the allegations that Sheikh Sahib was planning a rebellion in Kashmir for the promised rights and dignity of his people. Till this day, NC continues to suffer from sub-intrigues of this main political intrigue. Today we have Mufti Muhammad Sayeed who has taken over the role of being the one who will help to erode Article 370,” Sheikh Nazir added.
Sheikh Nazir said Sheikh Abdullah denounced the assault on dignity of J&K and launched the Plebiscite Front and struggled for 22 years in prison cells to stand up for the political aspirations of his people. “During Sheikh Sahib’s detention, New Delhi illegally and unconstitutionally extended the domain of 92 Central laws to J&K during pliant Governments of stooges like Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad, G M Sadiq and others,” the NC leader said.
 “It has been 61 years today but the ghosts of August 9, 1953 continue to haunt the lives of our people,” Sheikh Nazir added.