Why is Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Concerned About Decades-Old Arrests?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expresses concern over arrests.
- Thousands of Kashmiri prisoners remain incarcerated.
- Calls for humane treatment and justice reforms.
- Historical context is crucial for understanding current issues.
- Need for government intervention in handling old cases.
Srinagar, Dec 12 (NationPress) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent religious and separatist figure, voiced his concerns on Friday regarding the arrests of individuals connected to cases that are decades old.
While addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz highlighted the growing anxiety among the local populace about the ongoing arrests linked to these historical cases.
He remarked, "This situation has caused considerable distress and uncertainty, particularly for those individuals and their families who have long distanced themselves from prior actions," he noted.
Mirwaiz pointed out that thousands of Kashmiri prisoners are currently incarcerated both in and outside of Jammu and Kashmir, with some enduring imprisonment for many years, leading to significant suffering for their families. He stated, "The ongoing arrests only exacerbate the hardships faced by the people of Kashmir."
He expressed that serious humanitarian and legal issues have emerged due to the prolonged detention of Kashmiris in facilities outside the Union Territory.
Mirwaiz also mentioned that such practices often lead to delays in trial processes and severely restrict family visitation, which contradicts fundamental principles of humane treatment and natural justice.
He urged the government of the Union Territory to take action, advocating for a reassessment of how these old cases are managed, and requesting that detainees be transferred back to Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate a fairer, quicker, and more humane justice system.
Furthermore, he called upon authorities to halt the ongoing arrests and detentions of individuals who have moved on and have not been involved in violence for decades.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also serves as the Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.
Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, both factions led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani have become inactive.
Most members of these separatist groups have declared their disassociation from separatist political platforms.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference was established to provide a political platform for the armed secessionist movement.