Mob control: Hurriyat mulling challenging HC verdict in SC

Moderate Hurriyat Conference today said it is mulling challenging in the Supreme Court the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's dismissal of its petition seeking ban on use of pepper gas and pellet guns to control mobs.
"The decision by the JK High Court to allow the use of pellet guns and pepper-gas by the security forces against unarmed Kashmiris is surprising and regretful. Hurriyat Conference will study the judgement thoroughly and challenge it in the Supreme Court if need arises," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat
On Wednesday, the state High Court dismissed two petitions moved by Hurriyat and two lawyers seeking ban on the use of pepper gas and pellet guns in mob control in the Valley, claiming that the use of these weapons resulted in death of several persons.

The government had contested the claim of the petitioners saying these equipment were considered as non-lethal the world over.
Meanwhile, referring to the sealing of illegal commercial buildings, Mirwaiz alleged that the people of the state are forced into economic distress in the name of master plans.
"First the government allows the construction of multi-storied hotels and shopping complexes and then seals them in the name of master plans.

"Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar Development Authority and Lakes and Waterways Development Authority have turned into dens of corruption because these institutions allow building of such complexes against huge bribes," he said.

Mirwaiz said Hurriyat will not defend the violations of master plan by the people but termed as unfortunate and against principles of justice that these constructions are allowed in the first place.
"The state government has failed miserably and the administration is paralysed. If any of the institutions are active, it is either police or army which are continuously targeting people," he said.