All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) on Wednesday expressed wonderment over the remarks of Union Minister for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy in the Parliament that no political leader is under house arrest in Jammu & Kashmir since it became the Union Territory.
In a statement issued to media, APHC said that a police vehicle is permanently stationed outside the Mirwaiz’s residence since August 2019, who do not allow him to move out . If that is not house arrest than what is ? It asked . If he is not under house arrest then why is he not allowed to come out of his house ? Mirwaiz will complete one-and-a-half years under detention on February 5.
APHC reiterated that its Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq is not only a political leader of international repute, but also Mirwaiz e Kashmir, the religious and spiritual leader of Kashmir . As the Mirwaiz , because of his house detention , he is even disallowed from delivering the Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid , as per centuries old Islamic tradition of Kashmir , causing anguish and despair among people.
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Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told Parliament on Wednesday told Rajya Sabha that as many as 613 separatists, overground workers and stone pelters were detained in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019 and 430 of them have been released so far.
“Since August 1, 2019, 613 persons including separatists, overground workers, stone pelters, etc. were detained at various points of time. Out of these, based on regular review and ground situation, 430 persons have been released till date, he said in a written reply to a question.
The minister also said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has further reported that no person is under house arrest in the UT.
APHC said that instead of such misleading statements , authorities should immediately end the house detention of the Mirwaiz.
