Budgam: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday expressed disappointment over summoning of Shia cleric Aga Syed Al Hassan Al Mousvi by the NIA.
In a statement, the PDP chief stated that it is high time that Government of India sees the “futility of its muscular policies” and not to treat everybody as a criminal in Kashmir.
She added that Aga Syed Hassan is a respected and revered religious leader and that it is disappointing that NIA is now busy issuing summons to the people of moral courage and mental calibre.
“The entire process now looks nothing less than a witch hunt and such steps instead of helping to find solution to the problems confronting the state, will further complicate the situation,” Mehbooba said.
Meanwhile, President Anjuman Sharie Shian and senior Hurriyat leader, Aga Syed Hassan on Friday said that he was questioned by National Investigation Agency (NIA) “why the organization, which he heads, is the constituent of Hurriyat conference.”
To which Hassan, according to him, has replied that Shia organisation is not a constituent of Hurriyat. “However, it (Anjuman) supports Hurriyat vis-à-vis Kashmir struggle and its peaceful settlement.”
While addressing the Friday congregation at central Imam Bargah here, Shia leader said that NIA wants Kashmiris to stop uttering reality.
He reiterated that Kashmiris should be given promised right to self-determination for which people are offering sacrifices.
Earlier, on Friday morning, Shia cleric produced himself before national probe body in Humhama after he was summoned.
Before leaving for Humhama, Hassan was accompanied by a large number of people from his residence to main chowk.
Raising pro-freedom slogans, protesters waited for their leader in old bus stand till his arrival. They blocked the roads leading to Budgam town by burning tyres.
Later, after Aga’s return, they took him in a rally to Imam Bargah where he led Friday prayers.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed in Budgam and Magam towns of the district. All the shops and other businesses establishments remained closed to protest summoning of Shia cleric.
Anjuman Sharie Shian, the largest religio-political organisation of Shias in Jammu and Kashmir had called for a shutdown in Budgam.
It is pertinent to mention that NIA had conducted a day-long raid at the residence of Anjuman Sharie president in September last year, after which protests had erupted in Budgam.
Meanwhile, shutdown was observed in several parts of district Budgam to mourn the killing of two militants who were killed in a gunfight with government forces here in Zoogu area of Khansahib on Thursday.
The high data services remained barred in the whole district. However, only after 4 pm, the services were restored.
