Counsel responds to NIA: Mirwaiz can’t travel to Delhi in prevailing hostile situation

Srinagar, Mar 11: Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday decided not to appear in person before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and instead submitted a written response to the probe agency through his legal counsel.
In the written reply, according to the legal counsel, it was “unwise for his client to travel to Delhi under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client.”
“The notice (to Mirwaiz) appears to have been issued on the basis of fallacious assumptions and misinformation solely aimed at maligning the Mirwaiz-i-Kashmir, knowing his status and position, it appears to be the outcome of considerations other than the law. My client is not acquainted with the subject matter of FIR/NIA Crime No. RC 10/2017/NIA/DLI, referred to in the notice,” the counsel wrote in the reply.
He said that it was unwise for his client to travel to Delhi “under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client”.
“If the NIA wants to examine my client Mirwaiz Umar Farooq they can do so in Srinagar. He is willing to cooperate as he has nothing to hide,” said the counsel.
“My client has cooperated with the Investigating Agencies. Recently, when his house was raided on 26/02/2019, no obstruction of any kind was caused. Many documents, personal belongings, Laptop, Cell-Phone etc. were taken away but no receipt was given. Earlier also, on several occasions close relatives of my client were called by the Investigating Agency and as a matter of fact, they too cooperated,” counsel said.
He added that “My client Mohammad Umar Farooq is the Mirwaiz of Kashmir. Embedded in the cultural ethos of Kashmir, the 300 year old institution of Mirwaiz has nurtured the spiritual and religious identity of Kashmir, fostering its tradition of harmony and good will within and amongst communities.”
“They have been pioneers in spreading education in Kashmir and always stood for human, social and political rights of the people of Kashmir. In keeping with this tradition Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who is the 13th Mirwaiz of Kashmir, is committed to the abiding tradition of upholding truth and justice to represent the aspirations of the people of J&K. The Mirwaiz is highly revered and a large section of people have a deep emotional connect with him,” he added.
“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s stand is clear. He has always stated that the Kashmir issue is a Political and human issue which needs a political resolution either through the implementation of UN resolution or through dialogue amongst the three stake holders India Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir. He has always stated that amicable relationship between India and Pakistan are imperative for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and for peace and prosperity in the entire region of south Asia,” Counsel said.
He added it is on record that in 2004 and 2005 Mirwaiz and his colleagues from the Hurriyat Conference engaged in a dialogue initiated by the then PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and continued by his successor Manmohan Singh. The Government of India facilitated the travel of Mirwaiz and his colleagues to Pakistan to pave the path for a peaceful resolution of the issue.
“Therefore, unsubstantiated attempts to link the Mirwaiz in false and fabricated cases of “terror funding” through manipulation and exercise of powers is unjustified. It is clearly aimed to silence him through intimidation and harassment. The Mirwaiz has all along made it unequivocally clear that he firmly believes in a non-violent and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue,” the written response added.
It added that Mirwaiz is being victimized solely for his political views advocating the cause of Kashmir. “This is evident through the vicious media campaign /trial carried on the basic of unsubstantiated and adhoc leaks of information from the investigative agency which has vitiated the atmosphere in India. This has also led to violent verbal and physical assault that Kashmiris are facing across India,” Counsel said.