Srinagar
Hurriyat Conference (G) on Saturday strongly condemned the cordon-and-search operations launched by government forces in various parts and in Lal Chowk Srinagar, saying police and forces are unnecessarily harassing and intimidating civilians and business community on one pretext or the other.
Hurriyat (G) spokesman in a statement said, “Virtually authorities have turned Kashmir into a battlefield, subjecting civilians to worst treatment and their fundamental rights are being disregarded and trampled.”
He said targeting business hub and busy areas is a deep conspiracy, and termed it as “sheer lawlessness.”
“Carrying searches of commercial establishments and frisking commuters is having detrimental effect on business activities in crowded market place in Lal Chowk,” Hurriyat said and expressed deep anguish that even vehicles parked there were searched, and many mobile phones of commuters were also checked.
“Keeping a large population hostage for hours is utter violation of human rights. Police and other agencies feel free and unaccountable for their misdeeds,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat (G) leaders including Syed Mohd Shafi, Bilal Sidiqi, Nisar Husain Rather and Mohd Yusuf Naqash on behalf of Syed Ali Geelani, condoled the grieved families of Bilal Ahmad and Suhail Ahmad killed in Islamabad gunfight.
Another deputation led by Bashir Ahmad Irfani, Hakeem Ab Rashid and Imtiyaz Ahmad Shah visited families of incarcerated leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah, Ayaz Akbar and Altaf Ahmad Shah and expressed sympathies with their families.
