Srinagar, May 31 : Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday hoped that whoever comes to power in New Delhi by next week would take a realistic and humane approach in dealing with the Kashmir imbroglio.

He said dialogue and deliberation for moving forward is the best bet.

“By next week a new government will be formed in India. We again hope that whoever comes to power takes a realistic and humane approach to dealing with the Kashmir imbroglio. As for me and Hurriyat, the option for dialogue and deliberation for moving forward is the best bet,” Miriwaz said while addressing the Friday congregational prayers at historic Jamia mosque in Srinagar.

“ It (dialogue and deliberation) is the course that I and my colleagues advocate and have always practiced, even at the cost of harm to us. If lasting peace and progress of people is our aim our approach should also reflect it,” he said.

Mirwaiz who led the Friday prayers at Jamia mosque after four weeks said Hurriyat has a well-defined policy on Jammu and Kashmir and the government should give up the iron fist policy.

“ I was again put under house arrest on May 3. For four years they detained me continuously at home and since September last year when they released me, they keep detaining and releasing me again and again. It’s a strange situation. The saddest part for me is being away from the pulpit of Jama Masjid,” he said.

Mirwaiz said that unfortunately, the authorities continue to pursue the policy of harassment against him and his family members.

“In 2018 they alleged me of ownership of properties and all proved false and unfounded. Now an FIR has been lodged against me and my close kin, in which they claim that land and house in which I live can be confiscated and I evicted. The land was purchased and the house was built in 1973, the year I was born, whose boundary walls have remained the same since then. I am being accused of malpractice in it,” he said.

Mirwaiz said the policy of seeking verifications and clearances from Kashmiris applying for jobs, passports, or identification cards is causing great stress and distress among people, especially the youth.

“People of Jammu Kashmir have the first right to jobs in their land and they should not be denied it on any pretext. We ask the authorities to revisit this policy of harassment and discrimination,” he said.

UNI