Just withdrawing AFSPA won’t do: Mirwaiz

NEW DELHI - A day before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meets to discuss the Kashmir situation, Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq Sunday said the mere withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA) from certain areas won’t do and that more “serious measures” were required.

“There is no point in making cosmetic announcements. What is the point in discussing withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA) or other black laws from Jammu or Samba districts, which are unaffected,” Umer Farooq, who is also the Mirwaiz (head priest) of Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, and chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, told IANS over the telephone from Srinagar.

“It should be withdrawn from districts like Baramulla and Kupwara, where people are suffering because of these draconian measure,” he added.

“We need serious measures, maybe even step-by-step to resolve the Kashmir issue. Not half-hearted official rituals,” the Miwaiz said.

The Jammu and Kashmir police Sunday filed an first information report (FIR) against him and his colleagues for inciting violence at the massive pro-separatist rally in Srinagar after Eid prayers Saturday.