Mirwaiz Umar Farooq SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday described the situation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), where more than 20 people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters, as “deeply disturbing”, and urged the authorities there to show restraint.2 soldiers killed in ‘accidental blast’ near LoC in Uri2 soldiers killed in ‘accidental blast’ near LoC in Uri“Deeply disturbed by the news coming from across the LoC. The govt there should know better than to use force to handle public grievances and demands in this manner,” Mirwaiz said.“When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard. It is the responsibility of those in authority to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life. Hope and pray that better sense prevails and the matter is handled with maturity, while addressing the concerns of the people,” he added.National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, too, called for peace in POK, and prayed that “people’s troubles should get over.”POK has been gripped by unrest in recent days after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and intensified a crackdown against its members, leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. JAAC has been demanding abolition of 12 seats in the 53-member POK assembly reserved for refugees from Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. It argues that these seats have historically allowed major Pakistani political parties to influence govt formation in Muzaffarabad.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu CM Vijay Holds Talks With Congress Top Brass In Delhi Amid New Political SpeculationPM Modi Marks Historic Tenure, Credits NDA’s 12-Year Journey For India’s TransformationMEA Condemns Oman Ship Attack As 21 Indians Rescued, Three Crew Members Still MissingAt NDA Conclave, PM Modi Contrasts Congress Era With ‘NDA’s Development Record’ | WatchYusuf Pathan, Shatrughan Sinha, Sayoni Ghosh Among 19 MPs In Rebel Camp | WatchFrom Himanta To Bhupender: Are BJP Leaders Accelerating The TMC Rebellion?Pakistan Army Mi-17 Helicopter Crashes Near Muzaffarabad, All On Board Killed | WatchTMC Denies Congress Merger Buzz After Mamata-Sonia, Rahul-Abhishek Meetings | WatchAI-171 Victims’ Families Question Claim Waivers Before Probe Ends; Air India Denies PressureAfter Weeks In Captivity, 14 Freed In Manipur, Search Intensifies For Six Missing Men123Photostories6 subtle habits that make people lose respect for you, as per psychologistWhich quality makes others jealous of you? find out based on your birth date7 meaningful ways to celebrate your child’s biggest momentsYou don’t need a Gout attack to have high Uric Acid: The subtle symptoms doctors don’t want you to ignoreFrom Vinod Kambli to Virat Kohli; famous cricketers who own luxurious properties in Mumbai’s premium neighbourhoodsFrom brightening creams to face serums: Why men’s skincare is finally having its moment in IndiaAll about ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ live-action cast: From Cate Blanchett to Mason ThamesSleeping enough but still tired? These vitamin deficiencies could explain whyMark Zuckerberg’s $300 million superyacht Launchpad: Why everyone is talking about the ‘big boat’Leaves turning chalky white: Here’s the reason behind it and how to fix it123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder
SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Wednesday described the situation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), where more than 20 people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters, as “deeply disturbing”, and urged the authorities there to show restraint.2 soldiers killed in ‘accidental blast’ near LoC in Uri2 soldiers killed in ‘accidental blast’ near LoC in Uri“Deeply disturbed by the news coming from across the LoC. The govt there should know better than to use force to handle public grievances and demands in this manner,” Mirwaiz said.“When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard. It is the responsibility of those in authority to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life. Hope and pray that better sense prevails and the matter is handled with maturity, while addressing the concerns of the people,” he added.National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, too, called for peace in POK, and prayed that “people’s troubles should get over.”POK has been gripped by unrest in recent days after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and intensified a crackdown against its members, leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces. JAAC has been demanding abolition of 12 seats in the 53-member POK assembly reserved for refugees from Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. It argues that these seats have historically allowed major Pakistani political parties to influence govt formation in Muzaffarabad.
