Will decide on going to NIA if concerns are addressed: Mirwaiz

On Wednesday, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had sent a written reply to the NIA through his counsel, stating that he will not be able to appear before the agency in the capital in a case of alleged terror funding, citing a threat to his safety. He also said he is being victimised for his political views advocating the cause of Kashmir.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman said he would instead be available to appear before the agency in Srinagar. The NIA had asked him to appear before it in Delhi on Monday. He is the first separatist leader to refuse to appear before the agency in person in Delhi.

Following the crackdown on the Jamaat-e -Islami leadership and a series of arrests, authorities did not allow Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid for two weeks.

Mirwaiz said, “Our fight isn’t against a country or leader but against the wrong policies of the Indian government that has been trying to suppress this issue through military might for the last 70 years.”

Following the prayers, scores of people demonstrated outside the mosque against the “harassment” Mirwaiz was being subjected to.