Condemning the continued detention of its chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik and other political and religious leaders and activists, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) today said, “Suppression of peaceful political dissent by police and army is equivalent to imposition of martial law.”
“JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik was arrested by police on 22nd February 2019 while JKLF district president Ganderbal Bashir Ahmad Rather alias Boya, district president Budgam Gulzar Ahmad Pahalwan along with activist Mushtaq Ahmad Wani are also in police custody. Police accompanied by CRPF last night and today morning raided the residences of JKLF vice chairman Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi and zonal vice president Muhammad Yasin Butt ,” the statement stated.
The spokesman said, “We strongly condemn these arbitrary arrests, nocturnal and day raids against political activists and leaders, religious and social figures and Ulema.”
He said, “Not only are the peaceful political leaders and activists being jailed raided and harassed but religious figures and social leaders including whole leadership of Jamat-i-Islami including its Ameer Dr Hameed Fayaz, vice president of Jamiat Ahlihadees Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri and others, activists and preachers from Ahli-Sunnat-wal-Jamat and hundreds of young boys and elders have been arrested from last four days from nooks and corners and have been put behind bars on fictitious or in many cases on no charges at all. This spree of arrests and raids and other oppressive measures have turned whole valley into a battle field where chaos has taken over the hearts and minds of populace.”
Meanwhile, JKLF spokesman expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the demise of the Qazi Ahmadullah of Khanyar father of veteran photojournalist Qazi Irshad.