Hurriyet leader slams use of brute force in held Kashmir as fresh protests erupt

Several people were injured as Indian forces used pellet guns on protests against the onslaught on Article 35-A

Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Monday condemned use of pellet guns on unarmed protesters in occupied Kashmir.

Several people were injured in Islamabad, Pulwama, Shopian and other areas, after Indian police and troops subjected to brute force the peaceful demonstrators protesting against the onslaught on Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution in held Kashmir.

"Strongly condemned highhandedness and use of brute force on protesting people and students in Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Bandipora, Tral and other areas, in which dozens of people were injured with many sustaining grave pellet injuries in forces action, especially in Pulwama," Farooq said in a Twitter post.

The feeling of people with regard to state subject laws is so strong that even misleading rumours that sections of Indian media spread generated such spontaneous &sharp reaction from the masses!should be eye opener for Govt! No tampering & mischief with the law will be tolerated.

— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) August 27, 2018

"The feeling of people with regard to state subject laws is so strong that even misleading rumours that sections of Indian media spread generated such spontaneous and sharp reaction from the masses," the APHC said.

"[This] should be eye opener for [the] government! No tampering and mischief with the law will be tolerated," he maintained.

The Article 35A of the Indian constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define "permanent residents" of the state. The article also provides special rights to the permanent residents.

With additional input from APP