Hurriyat (M) Wednesday said forces were using excessive force and brutality on peaceful protesters across Kashmir and Chenab valley.
“Teargas shells and pellet guns have left dozens injured in Bijbehara, Singhpora Pampore, Kulgam, Sopore, and Srinagar’s Batamaloo and Rajouri Kadal areas on Tuesday among who two have been admitted to the hospital in critical condition,” Hurriyat (M) spokesperson said.
Condemning the government for imposing strict curfew for the past several days in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah areas of Chenab Valley when people in large numbers including women were offering Dhur (afternoon) prayers at Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, spokesman said, “Forces cordoned off the area to harass them and people reacted with pro-Islam and pro-Kashmir slogans which reminded one of the similar infamous ‘Operation Jamia Masjid’ in Srinagar 27 years ago.”
“The policy of persecution of the majority community of the state continues for the past 70 years in every district and region of the state unabated,” spokesman said.
Lauding the “unique effort” of the residents of Aga Hamam Habba Kadal in addressing the needs of the affected people in their locality during the current agitation, the spokesman said that such acts show us the way of “how our ongoing movement can be strengthened, supported and sustained indigenously”. Spokesman said strengthening our local community institutions will not only make us independent of relying on government aid but will also inculcate in us the virtue of self reliance and deepen our community bonding and concern for one another.
Spokesman also condemned the “random” arrests of youth across the valley on a daily basis and reports of large scale “vandalizing and looting” of homes and shops in Langate area of Kupwara district by the forces “to instill fear among the residents.
Spokesman said: “Such brazen highhandedness by the forces is a result of the impunity they enjoy as there is no law to hold them accountable and liable to punishment. On the contrary this lawlessness is used as a means of coercion and suppression of the population.”
Spokesman commended the commitment of people towards the Kashmir movement.