‘Believe in dialogue; want peaceful settlement of issues’: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Srinagar, May 31: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that he has always believed in dialogue and wished for a peaceful resolution of issues.

Mirwaiz who delivered Friday sermon at historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar today after a pause of four consecutive Fridays, told reporters that his “informal release” and “unending house detention” by J&K administration is unfortunate.

“I don’t know why government keeps me under house arrest without producing any legal note. It is unfortunate. I am hoping this policy should end and I should be allowed to move freely and put forth my view in public,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.

Reiterating his stand, Mirwaiz Umra Farooq said “If government think I will leave my ethical stand on issues, then they are wrong. I hope government will realize the situation and take amicable steps accordingly”.

He said they have always supported dialogue and want talks to initiate so that pending issues must be addressed and resolved. “We have supported talks a lot, and in the meanwhile we suffered attacks, but we didn’t move from our principal stance. Hope government should come forward with a realistic approach,” he said.