“Keeping people in jail will not resolve the issue: Awami National Conference on Mirwaiz Farooq release

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 22 (ANI): As Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was released after four years of his “house arrest”, Awami National Conference Vice President Muzaffar Shah said that keeping the people in jail will not resolve the issue. 

Unfortunately, a tussle has already begun by various political outfits to claim credit for his release.

“We all are very happy and I would like to congratulate him. Unfortunately, a tussle has already begun by various political outfits to claim credit for his release. Many people of the mosque- Jamia Masjid approached the court and strongly appealed. When hearing of Article 370 was going on we put up this issue also after which a combined pressure was seen on the government after which they released him,” he added.

“We appeal on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the government, Prime Minister, and Home Minister that keeping the people in jail will not resolve the issue. Security arrangements should be reviewed in each and every area,” he added.

He further said that if we show unity then everything can be achieved through unity.

Earlier today, Hurriyat leader and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was welcomed by a huge gathering crowd at the Jamia Masjid in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar. 

A large crowd of supporters was seen at the Jama Masjid shouting slogans welcoming Farooq and showering flowers on him. 

The management of Kashmir’s grand mosque- Jamia Masjid said in a brief statement said that the cleric will be allowed to offer Friday prayers after four years of “house arrest”.

“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will be allowed to offer Friday prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid after 4 years of house arrest,” the statement said.

Mirwaiz Manzil, which identifies to be the Centre of religious and political discussions, posted on X, “After FOUR years (212 Fridays) of illegal and arbitrary incarceration, Mirwaiz Kashmir will today offer congregational Friday prayers and deliver the sermon at Jama Masjid Srinagar”.

Mirwaiz Umar has repeatedly alleged that he has been put under house arrest by the police after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

However, contradicting his statement, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha told the media in Srinagar last month that Umar Farooq was a “free man and not under detention”.

Earlier in August, the Centre celebrated the fourth anniversary of its decision to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is the son of Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq who was killed on May 21, 1990, by terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Earlier in May this year, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said that the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two absconding terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen in the case.

The arrested terrorists Javaid Ahmad Bhat and Zahoor Ahmad Bhat were residents of Srinagar. They were absconding after murdering Mirwaiz Farooq on May 21, 1990.