Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday warned of “sustained protests” by people in Kashmir “if bloodshed continues with impunity” in Kashmir Valley.
Addressing a peoples gathering on Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid here, Mirwaiz expressed serious concern and strongly condemned the killing of an innocent youth Shahid Bashir Wani of Tarathpora Handwara in an alleged stage managed encounter by forces.
“One hand, a reign of terror is being unleashed under the garb of CASOs with South Kashmir turned into a war zone; on the other hand, youth are being also killed in fake encounters. If bloodshed continues with such impunity in Kashmir, there would be no other alternative left with people other than to start a sustained protest,” he said.
Mirwaiz said though it was not for the first time that innocent youth have been killed in “fake encounters”, the “irony” is that once again a probe has been ordered where in killers would also act as witnesses leaving a big question mark on the justice.’
In almost every killing in Kashmir, he said, those involved have gone scot free and justice has always eluded the victim families.
Mirwaiz said the recent acquittal to five soldiers involved in the killing of innocent people during Machil fake encounter was a case in point and an “eye-opener” to the world community.
He said Kashmiri people are not like cattle who would be killed at the will of forces.
Referring to operation Jamia Masjid, on its 28th anniversary, Mirwaiz said that it was on this day in 1989 an attempt was made by the then ruling dispensation to silence the voice of people ,the voice of truth that has been raised from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid without fear or favor by the Mirwazeen.
“The motive of the operation was to build pressure and to instil fear in the heart of Shaheed e Millat Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, who always played the pioneering role in the movement for right to self determination that had unnerved the then leadership.”
After the operation Jamia Masjid, Miwaiz said many religious places of Kashmir including Dargah Hazratbal, Charar-e-Sharief, Khankah Faizpanah Tral, , Astan-e-Aliya Khanyar were “desecrated” in a bid to create a wedge among the Muslims of Kashmir and to divide them on the sectarian lines.
He said all such efforts failed. The time has once again proved that closing the doors of Jamia masjid Srinagar for prayers time and again has not deterred the resolve of people who continue to throng the central masjid in great numbers and pledge for their commitment towards the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue, he said.
Mirwaiz said the pulpit of Jamia has and will continue to spread the message of truth and highlight the miseries and atrocities inflicted on the justice seeking Kashmiri people.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz also led special Touba-e-Istegafar prayers for seeking forgiveness from the Almighty Allah in the back drop of countless issues being confronted by the people of Kashmir and also the tragic incident of lynching of a police officer Muhammad Ayoub Pandth on the night of Shab-e-Qadr outside Jamia Maajid.
On the occasion emotional scenes were witnessed in the Grand Masjid as people beseeched Allah for mercy, forgiveness and end to their suffering.
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