Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for restraint in POK amid deadly clashes

SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday described the situation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), where more than 20 people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters, as “deeply disturbing”, and urged the authorities there to show restraint.

“Deeply disturbed by the news coming from across the LoC. The govt there should know better than to use force to handle public grievances and demands in this manner,” Mirwaiz said.

“When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard. It is the responsibility of those in authority to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life. Hope and pray that better sense prevails and the matter is handled with maturity, while addressing the concerns of the people,” he added.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, too, called for peace in POK, and prayed that “people’s troubles should get over.”

POK has been gripped by unrest in recent days after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and intensified a crackdown against its members, leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. JAAC has been demanding abolition of 12 seats in the 53-member POK assembly reserved for refugees from Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. It argues that these seats have historically allowed major Pakistani political parties to influence govt formation in Muzaffarabad.