Kashmiris want to live peacefully: Actor Waseem Mustaq

Talking about the ongoing situation with curfew in most places in the Kashmir Valley following the death of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, actor Waseem Mustaq, who hails from Kashmir, said that people here want to live "peacefully" just like people in any other state of the country.

Curfew has been imposed in the Valley since July 9 to control large scale violence following the death of Wani, 22, who was killed in a gunfight on July 8 along with two of his associates.

"Though I am not very deep into politics and other discussions related to it, but was going through a lot of articles on the ongoing Kashmir curfew and the whole issue.

"I understand the emotions of all people, who are speaking against Kashmiris because the image does show a huge crowd but my question and concern here is that how can the entire Kashmiri population be judged by these over emotional or paid out crowds," Waseem, who has been a part of TV shows like "Bhagyavidhaata", "Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya" and "Amrit Manthan", said in a statement.

"Curfew affects common Kashmiri citizen a lot. The state has one of the weakest economic structure and these are the months when the people actually earn their livelihood because of tourism and other businesses related to it. So curfew means no money and no food for lakhs of households.

"The people of Kashmir want to live as peacefully as in any state of India," Waseem added.

The death toll in the six-day long spate of violence in the city has touched 37.

Train services between north Kashmir's Baramulla town and Jammu region's Bannihal town remained suspended for the sixth day on Thursday.

All exams scheduled up to July 17 have been postponed as authorities said fresh dates for holding these exams would be announced later.

--IANS

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