Kashmir’s chief cleric and senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is convening a conclave in capital Srinagar to chalk out a strategy to resist the Mufti Muhammad Sayeed-led PDP-BJP coalition’s policy to restrict political activities of the secessionists. Farooq on Monday received backing of all constituents of his amalgam to convene the conclave on November 18, in which separatist leaders, heads of religious organisations, Islamic scholars, intellectuals, trade and student leaders and members of civil society have been invited.
There is no word from the officials whether the conclave would be allowed to take place.
Mirwaiz in a statement expressed grave concern over the “arrest spree of the youth and pro-freedom leaders and activists and placing curbs on the political and religious activities of the resistance leaders”.
He said the leaders of his amalgam agreed to the fact that in the backdrop of these curbs on political activities, devising a joint strategy against the government’s aggression was the urgent need of the day.
Meanwhile, violent clashes erupted in north Kashmir’s Bandipora town when hundreds of people staged protest demonstration against Army for allegedly torturing several civilians including a woman in Chuntimulla village of the district. The police and paramilitaries used batons and tear smoke shells to chase away the protesters who were protesting the alleged highhandedness and unwarranted action of the Army. They demanded action against the erring soldiers.
An army spokesman said that a joint operation by Army’s 14 RR and Special Operations Group (SOG) of State Police was launched in Chuntimulla area and several suspected persons were picked up for questioning. The spokesman denied any torture to the detained persons but regretted that a lady was injured during the operation. He said the detained persons were released after questioning.