Srinagar, July 19, KNT: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed serious concern at the flurry of nocturnal arrests of senior functionaries and advocates of the High Court Bar Association in the last few days, slapping of PSA on them, and sending them immediately to outside jails in this sweltering heat.
Addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that there are reports in the media that more such arrests will continue in the coming days. He wondered if lawyers are put behind bars who will fight people’s cases in courts. Who will defend their judicial rights? Mirwaiz said that in this situation it is incumbent upon the judiciary also, including the judges to take notice of this matter and intervene to do the needful.
Mirwaiz said that it is distressing for all that senior and reputed advocates who are an important part of the civil society are being treated in this authoritarian manner. Today it is the lawyers tomorrow it will be other members of society which could be traders, shopkeepers, or ordinary people who can be detained in this manner. He said one fails to understand what the authorities want to achieve by such actions except to instill fear among people and alienate them further. Instead of releasing thousands of political prisoners, journalists, youth, and others languishing in jails for years more and more Kashmiris are sent to jails to fill them up, he said.
Mirwaiz appealed to those in power and positions of power to discontinue the policy of arbitrary arrests, show humanity and compassion in dealing with the people of J&K and release the lawyers. Mirwaiz said all matters can be addressed through dialogue instead of force.
Mirwaiz also said people are facing drinking water scarcity in both villages and cities and given the hot weather we are facing this is increasing hardship for them . He said authorities should address this issue immediately and provide relief to people. [KNT]
