Joint Hurriyat Leadership condemns killing of woman at Pulwama

Srinagar, Oct 20: Joint Hurriyat Leadership on Saturday condemned the killing of a pregnant lady, Firdousa, in an exchange of fire at Shadimarg, Pulwama.
In a statement, the Joint Hurriyat, comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, said the “gory incident” reflected the “nature of atrocities being inflicted on the people of Kashmir”.
Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continue to be under house confinement, while Malik was released this morning.
The leadership termed the “brutal thrashing” of at least people, including two women, at Trichal, Pulwama, by the government forces, as the “worst form of state terrorism” and the direct outcome of “the unbridled powers given to the armed forces in Kashmir”.
The leadership said in absence of any accountability, the “forces are killing, maiming and thrashing the people of their choice anywhere and anytime at their wish and will”.
The Joint Hurriyat said Kashmir was going through the “blackest chapter of the history where in people are killed, youth thrashed, maimed, people of all ages subjected to torture and detention, properties vandalized…”
The leadership said the basic reason for the “serious and fragile atmosphere” prevailing in Kashmir was Delhi’s’ “hegemonic approach in delaying the resolution of the Kashmir issue”.
Expressing serious concern over the safety and security of hundreds of Kashmiri students and job aspirants outside the state, the Joint Hurriyat urged the heads of various Indian states to ensure safety and security of all Kashmiris and “to take steps to stop their harassment by various fanatic elements”.