Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Hurriyat (M) appeared before the National Investigation Agency for the second consecutive day for questioning in connection with a case related to alleged funding of militant groups and separatist organisations in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to PTI, Mirwaiz came to the NIA headquarters under police protection and will be questioned on the matter of funding of his own party — Awami Action Committee — and Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of several resistance organisations, the officials said.
The NIA has also summoned Naseem Geelani, son of Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, on Tuesday but it was not immediately clear whether he was appearing before the agency or not.
After reaching Delhi, Mirwaiz appealed to all the people back home to stay calm and assured that the Hurriyat leadership will continue to seek political resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Last week, the NIA issued a third summon to Mirwaiz to appear for questioning in the case. Mirwaiz had earlier refused to travel to Delhi citing security concerns.
The spokesman said that the Mirwaiz will travel to Delhi for questioning.
However, he said, the executive members of APHC, comprising Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Masroor Abbas Ansari would accompany Mirwaiz to New Delhi.
“Despite repeated attempts to hold the investigation in Srinagar, the NIA has refused to conduct it in Srinagar and has said that it would take care of his (Mirwaiz) security concern. It is unfortunate that they did take into account and are insisting on investigation in Delhi. It has been decided in the meeting that all the executive members will accompany Mirwaiz to New Delhi for the investigation,” said the spokesman in the statement.
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The decision was taken on Sunday during a crucial meeting at the residence of Mirwaiz in Nigeen, Srinagar.
However, the APHC did not say when would be flying to New Delhi.
“People are anguished and concerned for the Mirwaiz as their religious emotions are also attached to him besides him being a representative of their political sentiments. People are deeply anguished by the harassment of Mirwaiz. We urge all the people to stay calm and peaceful,” APHC said.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a recent Friday sermon had said that New Delhi cannot intimidate Kashmiri by issuing summons. Mirwaiz was referring to the summon of the NIA which was issued to him asking him to present himself before the agency in New Delhi.
The chief cleric of Kashmir also added that Kashmiri will continue to seek peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute.
“Is seeking peaceful resolution of Kashmir terrorism,” Mirwaiz asked.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had been summoned by the National Investigation Agency recently. However, Mirwaiz added that he won’t go to New Delhi but give a written reply to the NIA .
In his written reply according to his legal counsel ‘it was unwise for his client to travel to Delhi under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client.’
Earlier, Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani said that if NIA wants to question anyone, they can do it in the valley itself.