National

Hurriyat alleges repression

SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Monday that the state had let loose a rein of terror and threatened to launch a ‘jail bharo’ movement if the government did not stop the “repressive” measures. He said New Delhi should open the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.

The Mirwaiz, under house arrest for the past few days, told a news conference that the State government was continuing with its “repressive measures” to nail down those who were involved in the recent uprising. “It is unjustified. They cannot stop people like this and we will not tolerate it,” he said.

The government was contemplating booking these people, especially the youth under draconian laws, he said. “I warn the government that it will prove counter-productive.” A list of people to be arrested was being prepared. Sixty-five youth from Kupwara, 80 from Baramulla, 36 from Sopore, 18 from Kangan and many more from other parts of the Valley had been identified by the police and raids were being conducted to arrest and torture them.

He urged the Centre to open the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade as well as complete civilian movement. “It should not be a symbolic gesture,” he said. Kashmir’s economy depended on this road now. Recent developments had shown that the Srinagar-Jammu highway could be blocked anytime.

On the invitation extended to the Hurriyat by the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir government, the Mirwaiz said that a delegation would soon be sent to New Delhi to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner.

Another would head for Pakistan and the PoK to discuss trade possibilities. But the matter would first be discussed at a meeting of the Coordination Committee. Members from the Chamber of Commerce would be part of the trade delegation.

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