Hurriyat Conference resents ‘flip-flop’ on Mirwaiz’s detention
SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference on Friday expressed strong resentment and regret that even after announcing the release of party chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, he was not allowed to move out of his house.
Mirwaiz has been under house detention since August 2019.
Claiming that the authorities went back on their decision, Hurriyat Conference said, “Late last night, police officials visited the Mirwaiz’s residence to convey to him that he continues to be under house arrest and will not be allowed to go to Jamai Masjid for Friday prayers and since early morning additional forces have been deployed outside his house and in the area converting it into a garrison.”
The Hurriyat further pointed that recently in the Parliament, the Union minister of home affairs had categorically stated that no one in Jammu and Kashmir was under house arrest.
“People should not lose hope, and at no cost resort to any form of violent protest,” the statement added.
Clashes erupt in Srinagar over issue
Clashes broke out in Srinagar on Friday as supporters of the Hurriyat Conference chairman pelted stones at security forces to protest the separatist leader’s house arrest since August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 provisions.
Officials said police and other security personnel deployed in the area had to use force to chase away the protestors, but no one was hurt in the action.
Eyewitnesses, however, claimed that a woman sustained injuries in pellet gun firing.
Supporters of Mirwaiz initially held protests on the Jamia Masjid compound in Nowhatta area, but they poured into the roads after the congregational prayers concluded, the officials said.