Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (AAC) has expressed serious concern over the launch of cordon and search operations (CASO), door to door searches and unleashing of a “reign of terror” in downtown areas of Sher-i-Khaas after a gap of 17 years, saying that entire Kashmir is plunged into a tight grip of fear every year ahead of the India’s Republic Day on January 26.In a statement issued to GNS, AAC said that weeks ahead of January 26, the entire Kashmir is turned into a military fortress and to harass the population, forces launch massive search operations everywhere.“Pedestrians are frisked, vehicles and commuters searched, door to door searches of residential houses conducted, residents harassed and even mobile and laptops of youth also checked thoroughly,” the AAC said, adding that the organization has strongly condemned these acts and termed these as breach of privacy and violation of basic human rights of the individuals.AAC said that youth are rounded up and lodged in various police stations in the forces’ drive ahead of January 26 as if they are criminals and there is hardly any area in Kashmir where people don’t feel scared and harassed due to the over-presence of government forces. “All this is witnessed at a time when the ruling dispensation makes tall claims of the prevalence of peace and flourishing of democracy in Kashmir. However, all these claims stand punctured as ground situation continues to give a different and a very grim picture on all fronts,” it said.
The committee also took a dig at the government for imposing frequent curbs in downtown areas of Sher-i-Khaas thereby choking the economic prospects of the business community there besides casting a shadow on the career of young students who are deprived of right to education as they find it tough to make it to educational institutions due to stringent curbs in place every now and then.The AAC also denounced the frequent house detention of its patron and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq terming the move as a “political vendetta” aimed at preventing Mirwaiz from making direct contact with his followers and the people in general.Meanwhile, on the occasion of sixth death anniversary of prominent AAC leader Advocate Abdur Rouf Dalal, the AAC has paid rich tributes to him stating that the deceased was always active on social, religious and political fronts and that his contribution will always be remembered.“Advocate Dalal was one of the bold leaders who worked under the patronage of the founder of the organization Shaheed-e-Milat Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq (RA) and played an important role towards Kashmir’s movement for right to self-determination,” the statement said.In connection with the death anniversary of Advocate Dalal, AAC organised a commemorative meeting at Rozabal, Khanyar where special Fateha Khawani was offered for the deceased besides paying him rich tributes. (GNS)