Lawyers across Kashmir abstain from work against NIA summon to Qayoom

Srinagar: Court work came to a grinding halt as lawyers across the valley abstained from work Thursday due to a strike called by High Court Bar Association, Kashmir, against its president advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom once again being summoned by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with terror funding in the state.
Mr Qayoom has been asked to appear before NIA at its headquarters in New Delhi Thursday.
“We yesterday unanimously decided to go on a strike Thursday against the harassment and mental torture of Advocate Qayoom for no reason,” a member of HC Bar Association said.
“All district and Mufassil Bar Associations, besides HC lawyers in the Valley will abstain from court work today,” he said.
He said the bar members will again meet on Friday morning to decide the further course of action. “Whether to continue the strike or end it, will depend on what happens tomorrow at New Delhi,” he added.
Courts across Kashmir valley remained deserted for four days till September 8 due to a strike called by the Bar Association, against NIA’s summon to Advocat Qayoom on September 6. The court work in the valley resumed only a day after Mr Qayoom reached Kashmir valley post his appearance before the NIA.
The HC Bar Association on September 7 also wrote an open letter to Chief Justice of India, Justice Dipak Misra, alleging that efforts were being made to frame Advocate Qayoom to prevent him from urging the cause of the people.
The letter further explained the reasons behind the strike in all courts called by the Bar Association for four days last week.