Srinagar, March 14 — Hurriyat Conference chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was placed under house arrest on Friday, preventing him from offering congregational prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, officials said.
Mirwaiz was detained at his Nigeen residence as he was scheduled to deliver the Friday sermon at the historic mosque in Nowhatta.
Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the mosque’s managing body, condemned the move, calling it "arbitrary and unjustified," especially during Ramadan.
“Barring the Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir from fulfilling his religious duties deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the people,” the Auqaf said in a statement, demanding his immediate release.
The action follows the Government of India’s decision earlier this week to ban Mirwaiz-led Awami Action Committee (AAC) and Masroor Abbas Ansari-led Jammu Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) for five years, alleging they encouraged resistance.
(KDC)