Mirwaiz leads protest against Tral killings
Pitched battles were fought on the streets of Srinagar Friday afternoon when supporters of Hurriyat Conference (M) clashed with police resulting in injuries to about 40 people, including 20 policemen and CRPF personnel.
Hurriyat (M) had called for protests against Tral killings after Friday prayers across Kashmir.
The protests were led by Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces soon after Friday prayers concluded at the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of old Srinagar.
Reports said that youth with clothes wrapped on their faces hurled stones at the police after the latter fired dozens of teargas shells on protesters.
During the protests, the people raised pro-Islam and pro-independence slogans and registered strong protest against ‘black laws’ and killing of youths in Tral by Army. Apart from Mirwaiz, Hurriyat leaders including Javaid Ahmad Mir, GN Zaki, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and thousands of people participated in the procession.
Mirwaiz demanded immediate revocation of ‘draconian’ laws including AFSPA, release of political prisoners and trial of accused involved in the killing of Tral youths. He also stressed upon the international community to break their silence and speak against the ‘oppression being perpetrated upon Kashmiris by the State.’
Before the rally, Mirwaiz addressed Friday gathering and said the slogans of government’s zero tolerance towards human rights violations have proven to be utter lie. He said just for the sake of government formation, the PDP led government made tall claims of revoking AFSPA, claimed it would put on trial forces personnel involved in the killing of innocent Kashmiris and release political prisoners from jails.
“The truth is that PDP has kneeled before BJP.”
He said that under the garb of democracy, it was actually dictatorship ruling the oppressed state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mirwaiz said thousands of incidents like Tral have taken place in past 25 years during which thousands of people lost their lives.
He said the current times have reinforced the notion that human lives were not safe in Kashmir.
He said that by labeling Kashmiris as terrorists, their property was being destroyed and their right to live was snatched.
Meanwhile Hurriyat spokesman Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam has strongly criticized the government for using unprovoked force on protesters outside the Jamia Masjid.
He said police fired teargas shells due to which dozens of people got injured.
