Srinagar- Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday expressed hope that the government would rethink its policy on the release of political prisoners by adopting a “humane approach” and showing some leniency.
Farooq was allowed to offer Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid here after four weeks.
Speaking to reporters after the prayers, Mirwaiz said he expects the “new government” at the Centre to understand the situation in the valley and take such initiatives which would help in establishing sustained peace.
“The Hurriyat Conference has always said the resolution will come through dialogue, and we have suffered for that also,” he said.
He alleged several youths and political prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir were still in jail.
“The process of verification for jobs and passports has also been complicated and I think the government needs to show some leniency on these aspects,” he said, adding “we expect the government will change its policy, show some leniency and move forward with a humane and realistic approach”.
Mirwaiz said if New Delhi will move one step ahead, he will come forward two steps for peaceful resolution of issues. He was talking to media persons at Jamia Masjid Srinagar after attending Friday congregational prayers.
He said that it is unfortunate that the government keeps him under house arrest without serving any legal notice.
“I don’t know why the government keeps me under house arrest without producing any legal note. It is unfortunate. I am hoping this policy should end and I should be allowed to move freely and put forth my view in public,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.
He said if the government thinks that I will leave my ethical stand on issues, then they are wrong. “I hope the government will realize the situation and take amicable steps accordingly.”
He expressed deep concern over the detention of youth and said, “a big chunk of youth are lodged in jails while the government has made the verification process very complicated. Hope the government will rethink over it and the process will be eased out”.
“If government will move one step ahead, we are ready to move two,” he said, adding, “The Hurriyat Conference will not come under the pressure of iron fist policy adopted by New Delhi and J&K administration.”
Mirwaiz said, “We don’t want violence and bloodshed. We don’t want jails and graves to be filled by our youngsters. I think time has come to move ahead. Government should shun its muscle-power policy and embrace a realistic approach for resolution of issues.
The Hurriyat leader who was allowed to offer Friday prayers at Jama Masjid after four weeks said, “The saddest part for me is being away from the pulpit of Jamia Masjid. Policy of harassment also continues to be pursued. I am targeted and even my family members.”
Regarding an FIR filed by the anti-graft body of Jammu and Kashmir against Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and six others in connection with a land allotment case, he said, “After the series of propaganda attacks in 2018 alleging me of ownership of properties belonging to Anjuman Nusrstul Islam, Auqaf Jamia, Darul Khair and more, all proving false and unfounded, now an FIR is lodged against me and my close relative, in which they claim that land and house in which I live can be confiscated and I evicted.”
“Shaheed Millat bought that land in 1973 with official legal documents and He built a house on it and the same year is also the year of my birth and the four walls of this house are the same. “My brother in law, a dedicated, honest and respected senior civil servant, is also being harassed because of the relationship,” he added.”
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