- Mirwaiz leads peaceful demo at Nowhatta, says GoI has declared war in Kashmir
- JKLF stages protest at Maisuma, Hurriyat (G) holds demonstration at Hyderpora
- 2 journalists beaten up, injured, by police in Sopore
Protests were held in several parts of Kashmir on Friday against a massive operation conducted by government forces in about two dozen villages of Shopian district on Thursday. Protesters clashed with forces in Sopore and old Srinagar areas.
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led a peaceful protest outside Jamia Masjid and said the “military operation” was akin to declaring war in Kashmir.
JKLF activists organized a protest march at Maisuma and a similar protest rally was held by Hurriyat Conference (G) activists at Hyderpora, Srinagar.
The joint resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz and Muhammad Yasin Malik had appealed to the people to protest against the Shopian operation conducted by army, police and the CRPF and which involved helicopters and Unarmed Aerial Vehicles.
‘War declared on Kashmir’
Mirwaiz, whom the authorities had put under arrest at his Nigeen residence, was set free to address the Friday congregation at the grand mosque at
1 O’clock. Amid pro-freedom slogans, Mirwaiz led the protest march with protestors carrying placards displaying slogans such as “stop state terrorism”, and “siege of civilian population unacceptable.”
Talking to reporters, Mirwaiz said, “Thousands of forces laid a siege on around 25 villages of Shopian districts by confining the local population to their homes. Helicopters, drones and other latest gadgets were used and people were terrorised.”
“I believe that by conducting such military drills, the government of India has declared war in Kashmir. Such military drills are highly unacceptable,” Mirwaiz said.
He said that on every Friday Jamia Masjid is converted into a “military garrison” as heavy contingent of police and paramilitary CRPF men stand at every lane and by lane to ensure presence of worshipers is curtailed.
“This is the worst form of state terrorism,” he said.
Mirwaiz also condemned the forces’ action on the student community.
“When students are denied space to hold peaceful protests inside their college and university premises, they are bound to hit the streets.”
He said the more repressive measures Delhi and the J&K government would take to muzzle the dissent in Kashmir, “the more resentment will grow against the forcible control of Delhi on Kashmir.” Taking a dig at the section of Indian electronic media, Mirwaiz said that it was “height of hypocrisy” that the media was becoming partial and was hiding the crimes of the state.
“Instead of reporting the human rights violations and excesses committed by the state a section of the media was justifying the atrocities and undemocratic and inhuman policies adopted by the state which reflects their double standards,” he said.
‘Shopian siege open aggression’
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front activists staged a peaceful protest at Madina Chowk, Maisuma, after Friday prayers. Holding placards in their hands and raising slogans against “ongoing repression”, JKLF leaders including Zahoor Ahmad Butt, Javed Ahmad Zargar, Mohammad Yasin Butt, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Siddiq Shah, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Ashraf bin Salam and others along with hundreds of people marched towards Budshah Chowk and held a peaceful sit-in there. The sit-in was addressed by many leaders.
Meanwhile, JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik while condemning the ongoing “oppression in J&K” said that the “crackdowns, hooliganism, vandalizing entire villages, beatings and terrorizing people has and will never succeed in breaking the will of Kashmiris.”
“Crackdown of more than 25 villages in Shopian is a ploy to terrorize people and force them into submission. Kashmiris have witnessed and bravely faced these oppressive measures for the past many decades. They have always resisted all this with passion and valor,” Malik said in a statement.
“Suppression has never succeeded in defeating nations striving for their freedom and liberty and Delhi should also bear this fact in mind.”
Malik also condemned the use of forces on students in Sopore. He also lashed out at news anchors for their “biased approach towards Kashmir.” “Glamorising oppression and demonizing oppressed has become the main job of Indian media,” he said.
‘Atrocities touching new heights’
Hurriyat Conference (G) activists staged a protest march against the military operation in Shopian villages at Jamia Masjid, Hyderpora. The protest was led by senior Hurriyat leader Peer Saifullah. According to Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar, as soon as the Hurriyat leaders and people tried to march towards the main road, police closed the main entrance gate of the masjid and asked the protesters not to take to the roads. Addressing people in the premises of masjid, Saifullah said that now “warlike situations are created by the forces”.
“Dozens of villages were cordoned off in Shopian and people were not even allowed to open their windows. It seemed as if war was going on. We strongly condemn such acts by the forces,” he said as people raised pro-freedom slogans. He also condemned the use of force on the students including female students. Another protest was held by Hurriyat (G) leader Raja Mehraj Udin Kalwal at the shrine of Jenab Sahib (RA) Soura. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
Clashes in old Srinagar areas
Clashes erupted between protesters and government forces at Nowhatta Chowk. Scores of youths assembled at the Chowk and shouted pro-freedom slogans. Police and paramilitary CRPF men fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters, who did not relent. Clashes intensified and later spilled over to Hawal, Gojwara, Seki Dafar and Eidgah areas of old Srinagar and lasted till late into the evening.
A clashes also occurred between youth and forces at Rambagh, where youth blocked main road and raised pro-freedom slogans. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. A stone-throwing clash was also reported from Kangan town in Ganderbal district.
Clashes in Sopore
Soon after the congregational Friday prayers, hundreds of people staged a massive protest against the Shopian operation in Sopore. Witnesses said that protesters amid pro-freedom slogans marched towards main chowk. Within no time, forces swung into action and fired dozens of tear gas shells to disperse the protesting youth. Witnesses said two journalists were injured in the force’s action—Peer Eeshan and Muhammad Younis.
“We were covering clashes at main chowk Sopore when a police officer abused us and ordered cops to beat media men. Cops chased us and caught hold of Eeshan, who was beaten to pulp. Younis was also beaten up,” said Junaid Bhat, a local journalist.
The injured journalists were taken to nearby Sub District Hospital Sopore, where they were provided first aid. Later, north Kashmir journalists staged a protest against the alleged police atrocities.
They met Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Nisar Ahmed Naqash and Deputy Inspector General north Kashmir Nitesh Kumar.
“Both assured us action against the cops involved in the incident,” Bhat said, adding that they also staged a silent sit-in outside the office of DIG north Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Baramulla Professional Journalists Guild (BPJG) held an emergency meeting under the chairmanship of senior journalist Peer Sajad, where the incident was strongly condemned.
The Guild appealed authorities journalists should be allowed to carry out their professional duties without any hurdle and urged the police to cooperate with journalists during such situations.
