After security withdrawal, locals form human chain to protect Mirwaiz at mosque
SRINAGAR : Hurriyat conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who reached the city’s Jamia Masjid on Friday without any government security for the first time in 29 years, found common people jostling for his protection.
Mirwaiz, who is the chief cleric of the mosque in the old city and often delivers Friday sermons there, was Sunday stripped of his security cover which was provided to him after the assassination of his father Molvi Mohammad Farooq in 1990.
Anticipating Mirwaiz’s arrival by 1pm, people gathered outside the gate of the historic Jamia Masjid in Nawhatta, and formed human chains on either side of the road to welcome him.
Pro-freedom slogans rented the air as Mirwaiz and his supporters arrived in a cavalcade of three vehicles without any police protection.
Earlier, his home was under protection of some 30 policemen, many of whom would accompany him while travelling.
After a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in south Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14, the government on Sunday initially withdrew the security cover of four separatists, including Mirwaiz. Later, security of another 12 separatists was also removed.
As Mirwaiz descended from his white SUV, scores of people jostled to guide the chief cleric into the mosque.
They also surrounded the pulpit as Mirwaiz, wearing a traditional Karakuli cap and a shawl, reached the podium to deliver his Friday address.
A young shopkeeper of Nawhatta said he had come to the mosque specifically for Mirwaiz. “He is our leader and we won’t let him down. We will protect him over our lives,” he said and left the place after Mirwaiz entered the mosque.
“If the government feels that removing a few policemen will cow us down and force us to change our stand, they are dreaming,” Mirwaiz said eliciting a roar from the people: “Mirwaiz sahab we are with you”.
He said, “They (the government) should understand removing security, NIA, suspending internet and putting us under house arrest can’t change us. Our stand is not for power, amenities or votes. It is based on principles of truth and justice and we seek right to self determination.”
On the death of CRPF men in Pulwama, Mirwaiz said,“every human life is precious and we regret loss of lives. Who will understand this pain than a Kashmiri? For the past 30 years we have only witnessed funerals and graves. Our youth are being killed unabated,” he added.
Mirwaiz said there was no military solution to the Kashmir issue and India and Pakistan should start talks to resolve the issue.
“The Centre is talking of wars. It should understand that wars happened in the past as well. Did it solve the issue? If there is a war, both countries are nuclear powers and a single spark would burn the whole subcontinent,” Mirwaiz said.
After offering Friday prayers, people again lined up on either side of the road outside the mosque’s grand wooden door as Mirwaiz boarded his vehicle and drove away.