Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has been placed under house arrest, has strongly condemned restrictions and use of force by the authorities to foil the May 21 Eidgah Chalo March to pay tributes to Shaheed e milat, shaheed e Hurriyat and the Martyrs of Hawal
According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a crowded press conference, Mirwaiz stated that it was highly deplorable that people who claim to be so called ‘democrats’ indulge in a dictatorial and autocratic manner by imposing curfews, restrictions and bans to stop people and the resistance leadership from paying homage to their martyred leaders.
Asserting that for the past five years Government has used intimidation and force to stop the May 21 and July 13 events, Mirwaiz stated that hurriyat leaders and workers including Moulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hassan Al Moosvi Al Safvi, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, and Syed Salim Geelani have been put under house arrest while as Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, javaid Ahmad Mir, Hilal Ahmad War, Yasmeen Raja, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and others have been either put under house arrest or in police lock ups.
Terming the nocturnal raids on houses of Hurriyat leaders and activists, arrests and house arrest of Hurriyat leaders, declared and undeclared curfew, siege of historic Jamia Masjid, restrictions on roads leading to Eidgah, as a defeat of government, APHC Chairman stated that it nullifies the states claims of ‘democracy and freedom of expression’. He said that it is the height of double standards that while the rallies of pro-India parties are facilitated and supported by the state government and its machinery peaceful activities and programs so much so that even homage paying functions of resistance leadership are suppressed by use of force and intimidation.
Mirwaiz stated that it was the right of every nation to pay tributes to its martyrs and leaders, but the situation in Kashmir was contrary to that. He said such acts should be an eye opener and cause of worry for the international human rights organizations and institutions advocating democratic values. He said that time and again government lays restrictions and curfew in the premises of historic Jamia masjid to crush the emotions and aspirations of common masses. He said the policy of arresting doctors, resistance leaders and civil society would not weaken the resolve of people towards freedom struggle.
Reiterating that Kashmir issue should be solved according to the wishes and aspirations of people, he said the so called election for parliament and assembly would not solve the issue now, neither in future.
Expressing concern over the role of police, intelligence agencies and administration, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmir was practically a police state where the emotions and political aspirations of people were being crushed under jackboots of armed forces.
While thanking people for observing strike in remembrance of Shaheed-e-Millat, Shaheed-e-Hurriyat, martyrs of Hawal,despite curfew and restrictions imposed by the administration, Mirwaiz stated that Kashmiris have reaffirmed their resolve and commitment towards the freedom struggle.
On the occasion, Mirwaiz announced that the golden jubilee celebrations of the formation of Awami Action Committee would kick start on 20th June by holding of a huge public rally at Municipal Park Srinagar.
Mirwaiz demanded a fresh probe in the bloody incidents of Hawal, Bijbehara, Zakura, Khanyar, Gowkadal, Handwara etc, and said that those found guilty should be brought to justice.
Replying to a question regarding the invitation made by the newly elected Indian Prime minister Narendera Modi to Pakistan prime Minister Nawaz Sharief on the formers oath taking ceremony, APHC Chairman stated that such gestures would help build confidence and trust between the two nations which would help in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.He said Shaheed-e-Millat and APHC have always supported Indo-Pak friendship since it was in the interest of peace and prosperity of South Asia. He hoped that a time bound and serious process involving Kashmiris is initiated to solve the Kashmir issue in accordance with our aspirations.