J&K election clear message against 2019 unilateral decisions: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Srinagar, Oct 11 : Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Friday said that during assembly election people have sent a unanimous and clear message that in every manner available to them, they will resist attempts to subjugate and disempower them.

According to a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Mirwaiz said that this time, through a consolidated ballot, people registered their strong disapproval of the drastic unilateral changes made on August 05, 2019, since when they have been systematically disempowered, deprived, and their voices stifled.

“I hope those voted to power are respectful of the voters’ message and fulfil the promise they made to restore the legal safeguards and the rights snatched from them in 2019.

The ownership of our land and resources, the constitutional commitments reneged on, our very identity, and dignity were further undermined by the 2019 Commandments,” reads the statement.

It added that “while Hurriyat peacefully strive for those rights never given to us for almost the last eight decades, for which we are constantly struggling and being sent to jails, we have been constantly appealing to the GOI for engagement and the release of political prisoners which include political leaders, lawyers, human rights activists and youth.”

“As promised to the people, the incoming government should urgently take up the matter with the Government of India and help secure the release of all political prisoners and youth languishing in jails for years and decades, some even without trial, and push for the withdrawal of the draconian laws, including UAPA and PSA, under which they themselves were incarcerated in 2019.”

It reads that these laws have destroyed people’s lives. “The medical condition of many prisoners in jail is very worrying. There is an urgent humanitarian need to reunite them with their families, so this matter demands immediate attention and should be addressed on priority.”

Mirwaiz also announced that, as per tradition, he will driver sermon at the shrine of Hazrat sheik Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) in Khanyar on Sunday after the Zuhr prayers. “At 10:00 am foundation stone of historic Bazaar Masjid will be laid.” He appealed to the people to ensure their participation in these blessed programmes—(KNO)