Mirwaiz released from house arrest

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 25

The authorities in Kashmir on Monday night lifted the restrictions on the movement of Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who had been confined to his Nigeen residence for the past eight weeks.

Soon after his release, Mirwaiz, who is also a religious head, addressed a gathering in downtown Srinagar on Monday evening and lashed out at the government for its “anti-people” policies, saying the authorities had “unleashed a war” against the Kashmiri people.

Mirwaiz, along with other separatist leaders, was put under detention ahead of the byelections in March and had not been allowed to deliver his weekly Friday sermons at Jamia Mosque.

During his address, Mirwaiz spoke on the present turbulent situation in Kashmir and said uncertainty at all levels was prevailing in the Valley and suppression was at its peak.

“Be it cities, towns or rural areas, a war has been started against the population. Rampant use of tear-gas shells, pellets and bullets against the youth has become a routine in Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said, adding that the political, religious and social rights of people had been curbed by the forces.