Srinagar, Apr 25: The chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sunday demanded withdrawal of troops including army and CRPF from residential areas.
“The presence of troopers in the residential areas is a grave threat...The sooner the government understands this, the better it would be for the whole region,” Mirwaiz said addressing a Seerat congregation at Reshi Mohalla locality of Habbakadal, shortly after authorities lifted restrictions on his movement.
Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest on Friday to keep him away from leading protests against the death penalty awarded to three convicts including two Kashmiris in connection with Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar blast and unabated human rights violations.
Strongly condemning the killing of a civilian in Kellar Shopian and injuries to four others by Army firing on Saturday, Mirwaiz said, “Such incidents will continue till the black laws are not revoked and the troops are removed from the inhabited areas.”
“New Delhi and the state government should take practical steps for early withdrawal of troops from residential areas and revocation of black laws,” he said.
Referring to the recently submitted report by the representatives of American Centers to New Delhi, Mirwaiz said nuclear clouds were hovering over the region because of the long-standing Kashmir dispute. “If relations between India and Pakistan will not get better, there are apprehensions of nuclear war between the two countries.”
He asked India to give up “traditional rigidity” and start a composite dialogue with the concerned parties for peaceful and logical solution to Kashmir dispute.
Mirwaiz urged the people to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for everlasting peace and protection of Islamic culture in Kashmir. “We should encourage programs on religion and morality to save new generations from social and cultural degradation.”
He expressed concern over the ban on Islamic channels in Jammu region.
Later, Mirwaiz visited Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura to inquire about the condition of Manzoor Ahmad Mir, who was injured in paramilitary CRPF firing near his house at Noushehra on the city outskirts on Friday during protests against the Delhi court verdict.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST