Chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Geelani on Wednesday strongly condemned the use of brute force against the Muharam procession in different parts of the valley.
In a statement, terming the police action as a sheer interference in the religious matters of the Muslims, the Hurriyat leader castigated the police administration for imposing undeclared curfew within the boundaries of nine police stations of Srinagar city in addition to the different towns of the valley.
“Use of excessive force against Muslims participating in the peaceful religious processions has exposed the fascist and biased mentality of the occupation authorities towards the Muslims,” Geelani said in the statement.
The Hurriyat leader also condemned the widespread arrest spree of the participants of the Muharam processions including Tehreek-e-Wahdati Islami, chairman Nisar Hussain Rather, Syed Imtiyaz Hyder, Ali Mohammad Rather, Shabir Hussain Dar, Mohammad Qasim Bhat, Mohammad Afzal Bahar in addition to hundreds of participants, lodged in Ram Munshi Bagh, Kothibagh, Maisuma, Shaheed Gunj, Dalgate and other police stations.
The Hurriyat leader expressed his anguish to prohibit peaceful Muharam processions and termed it a brazen denial of religious rights of Muslims.
Geelani also expressed his grave concern on the persecution of innocent people especially the youth on the pretext of cordon and search operations in the nook and corner of the valley at the hands of the occupation forces.
The Hurriyat leader, in the statement also condemned the nocturnal raids on the residence of Mohammad Rafiq Ganie, General Secretary of Muslim League and intimidating his family. The Hurriyat leader also took a dig on the cruel authorities to arrest Feroz Ahmad Khan, chief organizer Muslim League and Bilal Ahmad Gatoo of Shopian, who have been shifted to Kotbalwal jail under the draconian law of Public Safety Act (PSA).
Earlier, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the restrictions imposed in various areas of Srinagar to prevent Muharram processions said the city is being held ‘hostage by rulers.’
Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Mohammad Yasin Malik while condemning the onslaught against Muharam procession across the valley especially in Srinagar said that Srinagar was sealed by barricades, restrictions and curfew and when mourners defied these barricades they were showered upon with pellets, tear smoke shells and Lathis resulting in injuries to many mourners.
JKLF chairman also condemned the arrest of hundreds of mourners and termed this highhandedness as direct interference in religious affairs.
