Protesting students should be heard not subjected to force: Mirwaiz on Delhi protests

Srinagar: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, expressed serious concern over the force used on student protesters in New Delhi.

In a statement, Mirwaiz said, “Mirwaiz said that young people raising their genuine concerns should be heard and engaged with, not subjected to policing and force. Mirwaiz said reports of pellet injuries among protesters are a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of pellets guns suffered by hundreds of Kashmiri’s over the decades.”

“it is sad to see students in Delhi facing it now. Use of force cannot resolve grievances or issues whether in Delhi or Kashmir; dialogue, accountability and engagement are the only way for resolutions,” he said in the statement.

Referring to the killing of a policeman in Anantnag recently, Mirwaiz said, “Taking of every human life is wrong and unacceptable, but an act of violence by one cannot justify collective punishment for all. The killing should be investigated and those responsible be dealt with according to law. But innocent youth and their families should not be made scapegoats and made to suffer. Reports of home demolitions of suspected militants, rendering their families homeless, is another extrajudicial and unjust measure. Such measures deepen resentment and are ultimately counterproductive.”

Welcoming the release on bail of Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj after years of incarceration Mirwaiz hoped that restrictions preventing their return to Kashmir would be reconsidered so they can soon reunite with their families at home in Srinagar.

He expressed hope for relief to other Kashmiri prisoners, including those who have secured bail but continue to remain incarcerated after being implicated in other cases, as well as those whose bail applications remain pending, the statement said.