Regional leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, MP Engineer Rashid and MP Aga Syed Ruhullah have criticised large-scale detentions and house demolitions in Kashmir following the Anantnag attack that killed a policeman.
Speaking at the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid Srinagar on July 24, 2026, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said over 2,000 young men had been picked up across Kashmir on allegations of being over-ground workers. He stated that an act of violence by one cannot justify collective punishment for all and described home demolitions as extrajudicial and unjust.
MP Engineer Rashid protested in Parliament against the arrests of 2,500 people and the bulldozing of residential houses. He said the response created a martial law-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir and contrasted it with the handling of protests in New Delhi.
MP Aga Syed Ruhullah noted that 2,500 young men were detained for questioning in 24 hours and two homes were blown up, one of which had been rebuilt after a previous demolition. JKPC president Sajad Lone also expressed concern, calling the actions community punishment that would do more harm.
