Srinagar: Former JK Congress President Prof Saif-U-Din Soz has welcomed the decision of Hurriyat (M) Conference chairman Mirwaiz Mirwaiz Umer Farooq to debate alternative protests to hartals.

“I heartily welcome Mirwaiz Umer Farooq’s quest for an alternative form of ‘protests for hartals’ (strikes) for which calls are given from time to time,” Soz said in a statement to KNS.

“There is no doubt that hartals cause lot of stress on society, both socially and economically and, sometimes, youth get provoked to take resort to stone pelting which invites unbearable reaction resulting in great harm. The Hartals also cause disruption to the system of Education,” Soz said.

He said the call given by Mirwaiz is timely and naturally it should fetch a positive response from all sections of society.

“All the stakeholders including the Govt. must try to promote a system in which youth will not feel suffocated. If they have anger in their minds, they have to be allowed to express it democratically and, of course, non-violently.”

I would like to hope that the Mirwaiz sustains his interest in this difficult but noble cause and works his way to success, he said. (KNS)