The ongoing National Investigation Agency (NIA) and ED summons and raids on the separatist leaders and their relatives on Thursday took the centre stage in the poll campaigning in south Kashmir, with the regional parties and the separatists groups joining the chorus to condemn the Centre’s J&K policy.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mehbooba Mufti contesting from the Anantnag seat hit out at the ED for summoning jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah’s 19-year-old-daughter, Sama Shabir Shah.

“After the NIA summons to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik, the ED sending summons to Shah’s daughter is shameful for the whole country. The Modi government is harping on the Balakot strikes and atrocities on innocent Kashmiris to win voters. It’s nothing but vindictive politics,” she said at a rally in Kulgam.

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said Mr. Shah’s daughter was five when the case was registered. “Yet the ED felt the need to summon her. It talks about victimising families!” he tweeted.

Party patron Farooq Abdullah at a rally in south Kashmir “saluted incarcerated JKLF chief Yasin Malik for not compromising with his stand on Kashmir despite the NIA pressure”.

“Mr. Malik is ready to sacrifice his life but not compromise with the dignity of his people. I salute him,” said Dr. Abdullah.

vengeful and unfortunate: separatists

A spokesman of Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also “denounced the extension of the judicial remand of Mr. Malik till May 24”.

“Issuing the NIA summon to grandson of [Hurriyat chairman] Syed Ali Geelani after his two sons and the ED notice to the daughter of Mr. Shah is vengeful and unfortunate.” he said.

“The policies of repression and intimidation can’t change the basic reality about the Kashmir issue. The muscular approach will not push people of Kashmir into submission.”

Syed Ali Geelani alleged that “a character assassination campaign” against the separatist leadership was on through the NIA and the ED.

“The notices to Shah’s daughter, to my sons Dr. Naeem Geelani, Dr. Naseem Geelani, and grandson Anees-ul-Islam are not only undemocratic, immoral but also shameful,” he said.