MMU Condemns Govt Action

Srinagar: Muttahida Majlis-eUlema (MMU) Jammu & Kashmir Friday expressed strong resentment over the continued house arrest of MMU and APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for the last 20 months, saying the undue restrictions on the peaceful activities of the Valley’s topmost religious leader and preventing him from performing his duties as the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir was unacceptable.

In a statement MMU condemned the “autocratic approach” of the authorities for not allowing Mirwaiz to address the faithful at the historic Jamia Masjid despite announcing on Thursday that he is no more under house arrest.

“Imams and Khateebs across the Valley said in their sermons that not allowing the Mirwaiz to visit Jamia Masjid and deploying additional number of police personnel outside his residence and blocking roads leading to his house by placing armoured vehicles, barricades and concertina wires, was sheer interference in the religious affairs and unacceptable.”

The MMU said the people from across the Valley had come to Jamia Masjid Srinagar to listen to the sermon of Mirwaiz.

“However, they were severely disappointed as well as angered with the news that the Mirwaiz was not allowed by the authorities to even move outside his residence, which resulted in a massive peaceful protest wherein people carried banners slamming the administration,” statement said.

It said such repressive measures by the authorities was not only unacceptable but deeply hurt the sentiments of the masses.