Veteran NC leader Abdul Samad Deva passes away

Former Jammu and Kashmir minister and veteran National Conference leader Abdul Samad Deva died today after a brief illness at his Anantnag residence in south Kashmir.
Deva (83) had been sick for some time and died at his Homshalibugh residence, a National Conference spokesman said.
Deva had joined politics in 1947 at the age of 16 and was associated with Plebiscite Front led by National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1977 to 1987 and became a minister in the Sheikh Abdullah-led government in the state.
He had served a three-year imprisonment and was also handed out a life term by a court in an arson case of 1950.

Deva, who had been associated with various social, religious and educational bodies during his youth, had also served as Kashmir Provincial President of National Conference.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Working President of National Conference, expressed grief and sorrow over his demise and said his contribution in public life and to the party would be remembered for a long time to come.
National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, ministers, senior party leaders and legislators have also expressed sorrow over Deva's demise, the spokesman said.