Mirwaiz Set Free After 20 Months Of House Detention

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Thursday lifted restrictions on the movement of moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was placed under house arrest in August 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 provisions.

"The police has informed the Mirwaiz that there were no restrictions on his movement anymore and that he was free to visit Jamia Masjid on Friday," a close aide of the Hurriyat chairman said.

However, the administration neither confirmed nor denied the claim made by Mirwaiz's aide.

According to the reports, mobile police vehicles continue to remain deployed outside the main entrance of Mirwaiz's Nigeen residence. The reports also said that Mirwaiz will address Friday congregational gathering at historic Jamia Masjid tomorrow after 82 weeks.

The Mirwaiz, who is also the chief priest of Kashmir, was among hundreds of political leaders -- both separatist and mainstream -- who were taken into custody or placed under house arrest as the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution 19 months ago.

While most leaders were released by March last year, some including the Mirwaiz continued to be under detention.

Pertinently, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti had welcomed release of Mirwaiz on Wednesday.

“Good to hear about Mirwaiz's release from arbitrary detention. I hope that hundreds of Kashmiri men languishing in jails in and outside J&K will also be released soon. Its time they returned home to their families,” Mehbooba wrote on her Twitter handle.