APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has expressed serious concern over the arrests of young innocent students by the police in various parts of the old city. He said it was highly condemnable that police was coercing the relatives of arrested youth to pay huge sums as ransom for not booking their wards under the infamous PSA law. Far from the claims of government that it is providing safety to people, Mirwaiz said the reality was that police department has turned into an industry of bribery. He said policemen and government officials were minting money and changing their economics overnight by blackmailing people to pay bribes in lieu of release of innocent young students. APHC Chairman warned government to clear its position on the issue or face dire consequences since the patience of people was now receding fast in view of this wanton loot and plunder by its armed agencies.
Adressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said the mainstream parties are always seen beating their chests over the worsening situation in Kashmir whileas the truth was that these people were themselves responsible for creating such an environment. He said the crackdown on people, arrests and torture of youth, slapping draconian laws like PSA against innocent people, would worsen the situation further,adding, the political retribution by the government would bear dire consequences. APHC Chairman reiterated the demand for the return of the mortals of martyr Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat. He further appealed the people to follow the calls of MMM in letter and spirit to express the solidarity with the movement. Mirwaiz expressed his grief and shock over the death of children during an accident in Kokernag area of Islambad. He said that entire Kashmir shared the pain and grief of the bereaved parents and stands with them in these troubled times.Meanwhile a hurriyat delegation led by party senior leader, Mukhtrar Ahmad Waza visited kokernag and condoled with the bereaved families.