Srinagar: Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that while the recent decline in violence is a welcome development, lasting peace requires justice, reconciliation, and the restoration of public trust.
Delivering an address on Friday, the Mirwaiz referenced a recently published report by the International Crisis Group, a prominent global organisation dedicated to conflict resolution. He acknowledged the report’s observation that militancy, street protests, and overall violence have significantly decreased in the region over the past few years. However, he cautioned against using this as the sole metric for normalcy. “Peace cannot simply be measured by the absence of protests,” he stated, adding that the genuine benchmark of peace is the restoration of trust among the populace.
Despite the recent assembly elections and the presence of an elected government in the Union Territory, Mirwaiz pointed out that Kashmir continues to be one of the most heavily militarised regions globally. He strongly advocated for granting meaningful powers to the newly elected government. Furthermore, he demanded a comprehensive review of stringent anti-terror laws, the release of political prisoners, and the full restoration of civil liberties.
The Hurriyat leader stressed that the region’s challenges cannot be resolved solely through a security-centric lens. “Political issues require political engagement, and longstanding grievances demand sincere reconciliation efforts,” he observed. He urged the authorities to recognise that if genuine progress has been made in improving the security scenario, the logical next step must be to build upon that foundation through sincere political dialogue rather than prolonged restrictions.
Touching upon broader regional geopolitics, Mirwaiz highlighted the necessity of renewed dialogue between India and Pakistan. Referring to past tensions between the two neighbouring nations, he warned about the inherent dangers of diplomatic and military confrontation. He reiterated that bilateral dialogue remains the most responsible and effective way forward to ensure regional stability.
Concluding his address, Mirwaiz clarified that his statements were not intended to provoke friction, but rather reflected a genuine concern for the future and fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.