Opposition targets Omar over Mirwaiz security remark; NC hits back

Several Opposition leaders in the Valley have criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remark about the security of Hurriyat chairman and Jamia Masjid chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

During an interview on a news channel, the Chief Minister said there has been a decline in separatist activity (in J&K) since 2019, saying it would have been unthinkable earlier for the Mirwaiz to be provided with CRPF cover.

Recently, the Central government enhanced the security cover for Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) now tasked with ensuring his safety due to elevated threat perceptions, particularly from a prominent Pakistan-based terror group.

Mirwaiz’s office in a statement on Tuesday termed the remark as “irresponsible”.

“Someone holding a post of responsibility is assumed to talk sense. Ascribing motives to the security provided to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, knowing fully well the circumstances, is highly regrettable and in very bad taste,” it said. “Such irresponsible comments betray the commentator’s insecurities and further disillusionment among the already beleaguered and repressed people regarding him and his mindset.”

PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed Para said, “If Kashmir seems calm today, it is because of the implementation of laws such as UAPA and PSA, the activities of the NIA, the seizure of residences and possessions, continuous profiling, lodging of inmates outside under harsher laws, and dismissal of workers under Article 311,” Para said.

“This represents a complete U-turn from your election campaign and manifesto. Your endorsement now is nothing more than a ratification of the iron-fist approach against Kashmiris,” he added.

Para argued that the current lack of separatist activity stemmed from stricter measures against separatists and the bans on the Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami.

He said the enhanced security for the Mirwaiz is not solely for his protection but highlights the increased vulnerability he faces, saying, “Singling out (the) Mirwaiz only puts him at greater risk, knowing that his family has already paid a heavy price. The truth is that hundreds of graves, shrines and mosques are protected by JKP and CRPF. So why make an issue of the Mirwaiz?”

People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone also came down heavily on the Chief Minister. “You know what your statements mean. Your mention of so-called security for Mirwaiz is what we know as —— speak to kill— in the last 3 decades,” he said.

“You always had one of the highest security covers in India. And does it behove you to act like a white collar killer and make statements which greatly increase the threat perception of a person. Loose talk. Cruel talk. Killer talk,” Lone said.

Although the NC chose not to comment officially on the opposition’s allegations, a senior party leader claimed that parts of Abdullah’s interview were taken out of context to generate an unnecessary controversy. “The opposition leaders have started fishing in the desert,” the leader said.

The NC leader also questioned the PDP’s previous decisions that allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to operate in the region during its tenure.

Later in a tweet, the NC reiterated that the chief minister had discussed Article 370 and its importance for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, sharing a clip to counter the opposition’s narrative.