Jammu, March 28 (NationPress) Sajad Gani Lone, the president of the Peoples Conference (PC) and an MLA, on Saturday made a striking comparison between the assassination of his father and the recent attack on former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah. He accused authorities of frequently exploiting security for political motives.

During a deeply emotional address in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, Lone condemned the assault on Dr. Abdullah while poignantly recalling the murder of his own father, and insisted on the need for accountability regarding the political utilization of security.

Lone stated, “Dr. Farooq Abdullah stands out as one of the most vibrant and influential personalities in Kashmir's political landscape. The identity of the individual who rescued him remains unknown even today. This represents a profound injustice that I still cannot comprehend.”

He urged for a civilian honor to be bestowed upon the unnamed hero, imploring the government to acknowledge this act before it is forgotten.

Lone also reflected on the fact that over the years, nearly 20 legislators and political figures have been killed, including his father and the father of fellow member, Sakina Itoo.

“Every assassination or attempt brings back our anguish. It’s as if the whole narrative replays. Though death is part of life, violent deaths leave an indelible mark on the soul,” he remarked.

He suggested that such attacks reveal a systemic failure in security protocols influenced by political agendas.

Recollecting the circumstances of his father’s death, he noted, “He (his father) did not participate in elections. He was a separatist. Should we allow ideological differences to dictate whether someone receives protection? This is a critical question that needs addressing.”

He further disclosed that immediately following his father’s martyrdom, he was denied security to visit the site for burial. “The government denied me protection for that journey,” he recalled, mentioning that the then Divisional Commissioner cautioned him against going. “I insisted that he was my father, my lifelong guardian; should I not pay my respects? He warned me that I might be killed.”

His plea, he emphasized, was one of a son that he believed resonated with countless others in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Regardless of which government it is, security has been misused for political ends. The current administration may be doing the same. We need to learn from these mistakes,” he asserted.

He called for an unconditional commitment that security would never again serve as a tool for political coercion, stating that any government denying such a practice is being disingenuous.

Lone concluded by congratulating Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his family on Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s safe return. “Perhaps I, along with Sakina ji and many others here, have not been as fortunate; our beloved fathers did not return. But I am truly grateful that Allah has preserved this asset. Farooq Sahab remains one of the last from the old guard, a guiding father figure for us all,” he stated, wrapping up his remarks.