Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Omar Farooq today called for complete shut down on April 12 against the proposed extension of lease to Tosa Maidan in central Kashmir’s Budgam district to Army. He said such a move will be unacceptable, as firing range has proved devastating for the area.
While addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said the lease of Tosa Maidan to army for firing range is expiring this month and cautioned that Hurriyat (M) will launch a “sustained struggle” against the Government if its lease was extended to Army. “The Army besides illegally occupying more than 3000 acres of meadow land has also occupied some 6500 Kanals of forest land in the area,” he said, adding, the firing range has made the lives of the people living there miserable and vulnerable.
“Apart from its economic importance, the firing rage has consumed more than 150 human lives, huge number of domestic animals, polluting precious water bodies and rapid melting of glaciers, which had a severe consequences on environment”, Mirwaiz said.
Omar said that according to general estimates, 71,500 acres of land is under Army possession including fertile agricultural land in different areas and the land at different tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Mirwaiz cautioned that time is not far when the people of Jammu and Kashmir may require a permission from the Army to visit their own tourist spots.
Terming elections in the State as mere “drama” and unachievable goal and holding local Government responsible for entering into a secret deal with army, Mirwaiz said local representatives have failed to meet the aspiration of people here.
“Government of India is trying to legitimize its huge Army presence in Kashmir and the people claiming to be the elected representatives are actively acting as helpers of Indian establishment in accomplishing their plans,” Omar said.
Mirwaiz appealed to the United Nations and international community to intervene and use its influence for demilitarization of the area.
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