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Omar Abdullah on Sunday took over the presidentship of the National Conference, the oldest political party of Jammu and Kashmir, and reiterated his party's demand for greater autonomy for the state.
The 32-year-old Omar, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, was formally presented the party president's badge and karakuli (cap) by the outgoing president and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.
Omar said he would endeavour to fulfil the dream of party founder and his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Over 10,000 delegates from all parts of Jammu and Kashmir thronged the Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar where a special session of the National Conference formally elected Omar.
Abdullah arrived at the venue at 9:30 am dressed in a black sherwani, white turban and garlands around his neck as the party delegates shouted slogans hailing him.
His immediate family members and senior party executives were also present at the one-day extraordinary session.
The session began with chanting of verses from the Holy Quran, Bhagwad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, Bible and also Buddhist prayers.
Senior NC leader G N Shaheen welcomed the delegates, which was followed by unfurling of the party's flag by the father-son duo.
The party anthem was played to loud cheers and flag waving by the delegates, followed by the song Sare Jahan se Accha.
Party general secretary Shiekh Nazir Ahmed, while presenting the annual report, charged successive governments at the Centre of 'trying to finish' the party since 1983.
Earlier, the police had arrested the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Javed Mir and some of his close aides on Saturday night as part of their security measures for the convention.
They also raided offices of six newspapers in the valley -- Morning Times, Mission Kashmir, Watan, Wyeth, Etsab and State Reporter -- and carried out search operations.
Following the raid the police also declared the invitation passes issued by the National Conference invalid and new security passes were issued.
On Sunday morning the police threw a massive security cordon around the Sher-i-Kashmir stadium.
The place was virtually converted into fortress and every single lane and bylane leading to the venue was manned by sharpshooters.
The Border Security Force had also deployed more then one dozen armoured vehicle around the stadium.
With inputs from Onkar Singh in Srinagar
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