Relax Iron Fist Policy, Adopt Humane and Realistic Approach to Kashmir: Mirwaiz Farooq to Center

SRINAGAR: Hurriyat conference president and cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his first media address since his release from house arrest in September last year said on Friday the Government of India (GoI) should relax its iron-first policy towards Kashmir and adopt a humane and realistic approach to make progress in finding a solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

“After four weeks, I was allowed to offer Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid. It is a very unfortunate policy of the government that I do not know why I am being held and when I am free,” Mirwaiz told reporters after offering Friday pays at Jamia Masjid.

It was his first media interview about his release from more than four years of house arrest last September.

Mirwaiz, who delivered Friday’s sermon at Jamia, expressed hope that this politics would end and they would get the right to present their point of view.

“If they think that by taking these measures we won’t talk about this issue, they are wrong. Our position is principled,” he said.

Referring to the Lok Sabha polls, Mirwaiz said the new government will arrive in New Delhi in the next few days and “we hope that the new government will take initiatives that will lead to lasting peace and resolution of the Kashmir issue.”