From Jama Masjid pulpit, Mirwaiz seeks end to practice of ‘arresting leaders in decades-old cases’

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday (December 12, 2025) expressed concern over fresh arrests of separatist leaders in decades-old cases in Kashmir and urged transfer of detainees from outside jails to J&K.

Speaking at the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar, the Mirwaiz said, ”There is deep concern among the people over the developments taking place in which individuals are being arrested in connection with decades-old cases. The J&K Government should intervene and review the handling of old cases and transfer of detainees back to Jammu & Kashmir to ensure a fairer, faster, and more compassionate process of justice.”

The Mirwaiz’s appeal from the pulpit came days after two senior separatist leaders, JKLF faction head Javed Ahmad Mir and Islamic Students League member Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi, were arrested in Srinagar. Mr. Mir, once a close associate of JKLF chief Yasin Malik, was arrested on December 9 in a case related to rioting of 1996. Mr. Bakshi was also arrested in a 29-year-old case of rioting on December 8.  

“This has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, especially among those persons and their families who have long since disengaged from past paths,” the Mirwaiz said.

He said thousands of Kashmiri prisoners were languishing in jails in and outside J&K. “It has already caused immense suffering to their families. Arresting more and more people only adds to the woes and pain of Kashmiris,” the Mirwaiz said.

‘Pressing issue’

Describing the spree of arrests as “serious humanitarian and legal concerns arising”, the Mirwaiz said the continued detention of Kashmiris in prisons outside the Union Territory was a pressing issue.

“Such practices often result in delays in trial proceedings and severely limit family access, running contrary to basic principles of humane treatment and natural justice,” he added.

Urging the J&K government to review the handling of old cases, the Mirwaiz appealed for the immediate transfer of detainees back to Jammu & Kashmir “to ensure a fairer, faster, and more compassionate process of justice”. 

He demanded that the J&K government should intervene and stop the continuing process of arrests and detention of individuals who have moved on and are not associated with any form of violence in decades.