In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has denounced in strong terms the continued house detention of its chief, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The Anjuman in a statement expressed resentment over the fact that a holy and important event like Shab-e-Baraat is not being held at the Jamia Masjid for the last four years because of the house detention of the Mirwaiz since 5 August 2019. It said there are strict restrictions on the peaceful activities of MirwaizUmar Farooq as he is barred from performing his religious responsibilities, which is condemnable.
The statement said despite repeated appeals to the occupation authorities, it looks unlikely that the Mirwaiz will be allowed to deliver his sermon at the historic mosque on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Baraat.
The Anjuman urged the administration to unconditionally release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq by taking into consideration the religious sentiments and feelings of lacs of people who have been longing to meet their beloved leader and thousands of devotees who come from nook and corner of the Kashmir Valley to the Jamia Masjid on Fridays but have to return disappointed.
The Anjuman said that today was the 184th Friday, while Mirwaiz was not allowed to perform the important duty to offer Jumna prayer.
Meanwhile, n Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, illegally detained senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has expressed grief and sorrow over the murder a bank guard Pandit Sanjay.
Unidentified armed men shot dead at Achan in Pulwama, yesterday, while he was on his way to the local market
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement issued in Srinagar, condemning the gruesome act, expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. He said the killing of human beings in such a manner is a tragedy that Kashmir has been witnessing for the past three and a half decades now, with no seeming end in near future.
He said, “In this situation, Kashmiri pandits liv-ing in IIOJK unfortunately have become sitting ducks. Besides, in the prevailing coercive environ-ment with no space for outreach, contact among communities and people is also fast disappearing.”
APHC said that after political disempowerment, economic assault is systematically being foisted on the people of IIOJK. As the eviction and demolition drive has been put on hold, new taxes are being imposed on people, still recovering from the eco-nomic impact of COVID-19, he deplored
He said arbitrary dismissals of Kashmiris from government service by authorities also continue with three more state employees dismissed yesterday.—KMS
