Srinagar, May 26 (KNO) : Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik while strongly condemning the use of brute force including lethal pellets on the devotees who had come to offer Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid which left dozens of faithful grievously injured many of them hit by pellets in eyes said that police and other forces resorted to disproportionate use of force against youth, namazis, pedestrians and even shopkeepers of Jamia Market. JRL said that forces deliberately turned entire Jamia Masjid and its adjoining areas into a battlefield which reflects worst form of state terrorism and deserves strong condemnation.
JRL blamed the heavy deployment of forces around Jamia Masjid ahead of Friday prayers for the situation and tension that arose in the area in which tens of dozens of people received injuries due to pellet firing stating that without any reason Jamia Masjid premises are turned into a military garrison which later leads to tension in the area. The JRL said that in the holy month of fasting people from far off places of Kashmir visit the grand masjid to listen to the Friday sermon and to seek blessings and forgiveness from the Almighty Allah but as it is place which echoes the aspirations people of Kashmir, Jamia Masjid has always been an eyesore for the ruling regime which wants to target the centrality of Kashmir's spiritual centre and discourage people from coming there.
JRL said that pulpit of Jamia Masjid has always voiced justice for people in the light of Islamic teachings and has represented the aspirations of an occupied people and will continue to do so till people of Kashmir are get their rights and their aspirations are fulfilled JRL said that every time any incident happens anywhere in the valley, Jamia Masjid and the down town areas become the first target of the rulers who impose curbs and curfews causing great distress to the population there. Even Friday prayers are repeatedly barred as government displays it's military might that day to ensure nobody reaches the grand masjid.
JRL said that one hand the rulers on the directions of their masters have unleashed a reign of terror across the Kashmir Valley and on the other hand, it wants people not to raise their voice against the injustices and war crimes being committed by lakhs of government forces. JRL said that no genuine struggle can be crushed through military might and that the use of lethal pellets can't break the resolve of people of Kashmir. Meanwhile, JRL leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik participated in the silent sit in staged by the Shahre Khaas traders against forces atrocities including firing of pellets and teargas shells and condemned the forces action in strongest words. Speaking on the occasion, the two leaders said the Jamia Masjid is the religious and spiritual centre of Kashmir and no move by the government to weaken its sanctity would be tolerated.
The leaders said that if government didn't stop it's ploys to damage the sanctity and sacredness of the grand masjid, a sustained campaign will be started and entire responsibility will then lie on the ruling dispensation.