SRINAGAR (Kashmir English): Senior leader of APHC, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has strongly denounced the ongoing wave of repression unleashed by Indian forces’ personnel in Indian occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam incident, despite the widespread condemnation of the attack by the Kashmiris themselves.
Addressing a large gathering at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, the Mirwaiz expressed grave concern over the recent extrajudicial killings of two youth, Altaf Lali and Ghulam Rasool Magray, by Indian troops.
Citing the victims’ families, who say their loved ones were killed extrajudicially, the Mirwaiz demanded an impartial and transparent investigation into the killings, Kashmir Media Service reported.
“The events unfolding after the horrendous Pahalgam incident have again shown that whenever such things happen, it is the people of Kashmir who bear the brunt and suffer”, the Mirwaiz said.
“Despite people’s unanimous condemnation of the incident, it is the people of Kashmir who are being held to account and targeted.”
Mirwaiz Umar denounced the mass crackdowns being carried out across the territory, stating that thousands of Kashmiris have been arbitrarily detained while numerous homes have been demolished using explosives. The Mirwaiz also criticized the role of sections of the Indian media in demonizing the Kashmiri population, saying that the vilification campaign has instilled fear among Kashmiri students and professionals living in India, compelling many to flee back to the Valley.
Urging New Delhi to revisit these policies, the Kashmiri leader said that these measures are counterproductive to genuine peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
