Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has voiced significant concern regarding the recent arrests of senior advocates from the High Court Bar Association in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service announcement issued on 19 July 2024, during his address at the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz highlighted the potential implications of detaining legal professionals, questioning the future of legal advocacy and the defense of judicial rights in the region. His remarks came amidst reports suggesting that such arrests are expected to continue.

Mirwaiz criticized the pattern of detaining key civil society figures, including lawyers, which he views as a broader strategy to suppress dissent and instill fear among the populace. He warned that this could extend to other community members, such as traders and ordinary citizens, if unchecked.

The leader made a poignant appeal to those in authority, urging them to abandon these practices of arbitrary detention and to approach the region’s issues with humanity and dialogue rather than force. He also called attention to the pressing issue of drinking water scarcity affecting both urban and rural areas, pressing for immediate governmental action to alleviate the situation.