At least 200 youth decided to guard Mirwaiz voluntarily

SRINAGAR — A day after the government withdrew security cover from Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, at least 200 youth from different areas have voluntarily decided to guard the top religious cleric to ensure his safety.

Awami Action Committee (AAC) youth President, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi said the youth at least 200 in number have reached Mirwaiz Manzil in Rajouri Kadal here and have decided to act as security of Mirwaiz, who is the head cleric of Jamia Masjid.

He said the youth are enrolling themselves here at present and decision in this regard will be taken shortly.

Earlier on Sunday, Government withdrew all security and government facilities provided to separatist and Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and three other separatist leaders.

The Government has withdrawn security and any government facilities provided to separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Shabir Shah.

“All security and any vehicles provided to the separatist leaders would stand withdrawn by Sunday evening,” officials had said.

However, the separatist leaders, whose security was withdrawn by the State government on Sunday following the attack on CRPF men at Lethpora, Pulwama had said that it was a non-issue for them.

A spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (M) in a statement had said, “The government and its propagandist anti-Kashmir media has repeatedly been racking up the issue of police personnel provided to the resistance leadership to politicize, knowing fully well it has no bearing, nor can it in any way change the reality of the lingering Kashmir dispute.” (KNO)