Mirwaiz up against Tosa-Maidan lease extension

Srinagar, Apr 9 (KMW): Huriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday cautioned the establishment over extension in Tosa-Maidan lease saying that the agreement with the army is fraught with the ‘dangerous consequences’.

According to KMW correspondent, the Huriyat (M) chief while addressing a press conference at Hurriyat (M) headquarters in Rajbagh here called for a one day strike call on April 12, stating that a valley wide agitation will be launched if the lease agreement of Tosa-Maidan, ending on April 18 this year, is extended.”
Mirwaiz while accusing government of India of ‘institutionalizing Army occupation in Kashmir’ claimed that if the lease agreement of Tosa Maidan is extended, Huriyat (M) will carry out protest marches to the places presently ‘occupied’ by the army in Kashmir.
Mirwaiz added that the Huriyat (M) has constituted a probe committee that will ascertain the measurement of the land that is under army’s control here and the ill effects of the same over the local population. “The report will be made public then so that that the world comes to know about this disastrous situation.”
Mirwaiz claimed that 71,500 acres of land is under the ‘occupation’ of army in Kashmir at present. “India has handed over Kashmir to army and every day after the army institutions are being strengthened at large.”
He said 3000 acres of meadows and 6500 acres of forest land is under the occupation of army. He said that Tosa-Maidan issue cannot be seen in isolation. “We want to tell the people of Kashmir that the administration has turned a blind- eye towards the issue and tourist destinations, orchards and paddy fields are under the control of Army.”
Over the issue of Tosa- Maidan, Mirwaiz accused that its ‘occupation’ has perturbed the locals living around the area at large.
Substantiating his claims, Mirwaiz said that Huriyat (M) has a data that reveals killing of more than 150 persons due to the shelling in the firing range Tosa Maidan since its inception. He claimed that local students are feeling scared while going to the schools and the range has unleashed a wave of terror on the residential population. “Residential houses have been damaged and the streams providing drinking water facilities to the local inhabitants have been contaminated.”
Mirwaiz said that everyday 80 pound shells are being dropped in the forests due to which the area is completely panic stricken. “Glaciers are melting and we want ecologists to look into the matter and assess the ground situation so that the crisis is averted at an earliest.”
Mirwaiz while commenting over the forthcoming polls said that the election in Jammu and Kashmir has no relevance as the same are being held in presence of lakhs of troops. “We have already made it clear that we reject the polls and also urge people to stay away from the same. Elections are the important pillars in every democratic setup but the place where human values are being crushed under the boots of lakhs of army personnel, how elections could be relevant.”
Mirwaiz, however, at the end of the press conference didn’t allow any question from journalists stating that the issue has been discussed threadbare. (KMW)