Jammu and Kashmir Chief Cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. | Photo credit: PTI
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in his Friday (April 3, 2026) sermon that several security agencies are following Kashmiris, especially local employees, on the pretext of cases “to create an atmosphere of fear”.
From the pulpit of the historic Jama Masjid, Mr. Farooq said that Kashmir is recording daily filing of cases, indictments and arrests of Kashmiris by multiple agencies operating like the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Counter Intelligence Kashmir, Cyber Cell, Anti-Corruption Bureau and National Investigation Agency.
“This creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and reinforces a narrative that portrays the entire population as dangerous and suspect to be controlled,” Mr Farooq said.
He said the termination of government employees, combined with the filing of lawsuits against local employees, appeared to be a “deliberate act to instill fear.” “This policy of coercion cannot build a viable peace or lead to progress as far as the authorities are concerned,” he added.
He also condemned the killing of civilian Raashid Ahmed Mughal, a resident of Ganderbal, in the encounter. “The victim’s family says he was a part-time computer operator with no militancy links. That his body was not given to the family for burial is inhumane and condemnable. His family is demanding justice through an impartial investigation,” Mr Farooq said.
He hoped that justice would be served “because past experience does not inspire confidence”. “Hopefully Governor Manoj Sinha’s order for an inquiry will bring justice and those responsible will be held accountable and punished,” Mr Farooq said.
Published – 4 Apr 2026 03:38 IST
