Out-sized military presence biggest impediment in the solution of Kashmir: Mirwaiz

Srinagar: Terming the outsized military presence in Valley as the biggest impediment in the solution of Kashmir issue, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday castigated the government for its hollow claims that foot prints of Army and Security personnel are getting reduced day by day.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, he said that the claims of the government do not match with the ground reality. “Government is claiming that situation has been improving, but the fact is that more and more Army Bunkers and Camps are coming up. Government of India is hell bent in turning Kashmir into a military garrison,” he said and added that right from 1947, India has left no stone unturned in suppressing the Kashmir people by military might.
Demanding the immediate removal of Army bunkers and camps from the Valley, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the presence of such camps ultimately become deathtrap for Kashmiri people. Terming the protest of people of Wuyen against the coming up of Army Camp there as legitimate, Mirwaiz said that these camps become the cause of killings of innocent Kashmiri people.
“We demand immediate demilitarization of this region. Kashmiri people are feeling insecure in presence of Army here. For the solution of Kashmir the atmosphere must be made congenial and it is possible only if the region will be demilitarized,” Mirwaiz said.
While reacting to the transfer of Zahid Farooq murder case to a civil court, Mirwaiz demanded impartial probe into the Kunanposhpora, Chitti Singpora, Shopian and other incidents in which Army and Security personnel are involved.
Expressing deep concern over the supply of spurious drugs to Valley based hospitals, Mirwaiz Dr Umar Farooq said that all the drugs supplied to Kashmir should be tested properly. “Put Purchasing Committees under scanner, probe their dealings impartially and make renowned Doctors and Civil Society members a part of the probe-panel,” he said and added that medical representatives of some private clinics, medicos and companies are in league with doctors who prescribe sub-standard medicines to patients to receive expensive gifts and such people can’t be given a clean-chit.
Commending the role of media for highlighting social issues, Mirwaiz said newspapers of Kashmir has been playing a cardinal role in exposing the negative aspects of the society. “Spurious drugs are being sold under different brands and labels and the lives of people are being put to risk. Government has failed on every front. It spents Millions on Ministers and don’t bother to come up with facilities for analyzing the drugs,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior Hurriat leaders Zafar Akbar Bhat, and Syed Bashir Andrabi at Jakipora, Charar-e-Sharief while Hakim Abdul Rashid in his address at Gowkadal sought the mortal remains of Shaheed Mohammad Afzal Guroo and Shaheed Mohammad Maqbool Bhat back to Kashmir and said that the genuine demand of Kashmiri people can’t be ignored anymore.
The Chief of the women’s wing of Hurriat Conference, Yasmeen Raja while addressing women workers in Ganderbal said that women have been playing a great role in the freedom struggle and they have rendered enormous sacrifices.