The text of the telegram, which was released to the press by National Conference spokesman Saif-ud-Din Soz, reads: In view of militants, recognised by government as counter-insurgency militants operating with guns openly, certain Assembly constituencies have become particularly vulnerable. Please depute special observers to Gurez, Sonawari, Bandipur and Lolab constituencies.
Talking to Business Standard, Soz expressed satisfaction on Governor K V Krishna Rao's assurance yesterday that no civilian would be allowed to move about with guns during the elections. The confrontation between the National Conference and pro-government militants is heading for a showdown with National Conference President Farooq Abdullah lashing out at them for what he calls targeting of the NC cadre by renegades.
I will break their guns on their heads, Farooq said recently. A serious dimension has been added to the confrontation with Pro-Pak Hizbul Mujahideen yesterday clarifying that its militants had nothing to do with the grenade attack on an NC campaign vehicle at Sopore, which resulted in death of four workers of the National Conference.
The NC rank and file do not mince words in blaming the surrendered militants for killing NC workers in recent days. The National Conference top brass are attributing the assassinations to what they call the political ambitions of the renegades who are fighting the Assembly polls on their own in addition to having been given tickets by the Congress.
The National Conference cadre is also highly upset over the statement of the Union home secretary on Tuesday, in which Padmanabiah said disarming of the renegades was not possible at the moment.
He had also said that these militants mostly operate in border areas, countering the designs of secessionist militants.
While NC president Farooq Abdullah is continuing his whirlwind poll campaign across the valley, there is visible fear among his supporters in the valley after recent attacks on their campaign groups.
One NC worker told the Business Standard: We are facing the brunt of militants, irrespective of their loyalties. They appear to agree on the fact that the NC ground level cadre must be wiped out.
Analysts here are keenly watching the outcome of the protests lodged by the National Conference in this regard. Meanwhile, Farooq Abdullah, who returned from Kargil district on Tuesday, continued his hectic campaign schedule yesterday. He visited Naidihal in Bandipur constituency, Watergam in Rafiabad constituency and also Handwara town. All these constituencies go to polls this Saturday.
