Jammu, August 07: The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated around the world. Over one billion Muslims throughout the globe are fasting and practicing the Islamic rituals. However, here in Indian controlled Kashmir it is different.
The death of a young man in police custody last Sunday instigated mass protests across the region As a precautionary measure to take control of Kashmir situation, the administration has placed the top pro independence leadership under house arrest. Authorities claimed their presence could lead to fresh wave of unrest in the region.
It has been almost three Ramadans now that pro independence leaders have been kept under home arrest due to Kashmir volatile situation.
Mirwaiz Umer Farooq chairman of the Hurriyat conference a pro independence group and also the head cleric of Kashmir was not allowed to go for Friday prayers in the mosque. He had earlier warned the authorities of violence in the region if they continue to keep pro independence leadership away from people.
People on Friday took to streets to protest against the government decision to put Umer Farooq under house arrest on the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. Later the protest turned violent in which people clashed with the police.
Protesters say they will continue their struggle till administration stops restrictions on the leaders.
I am exactly outside the residence of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq the head cleric and top pro independence leader of Kashmir as you can see they are not allowing any one inside.
He also added that he has been registering several complaints about the situation of Kashmir in the organization of Islamic cooperation.
Kashmir has witnessed three summers of violence over the alleged human rights violations due to which Kashmir closed down for months together. Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India an Pakistan for over 6 decades now. Official figures reveal nearly 50000 people have died including civilians since the unrest began in Kashmir in 1989.
–Agencies