US envoy feared Mirwaiz killing,said ‘won’t be tolerated’

The cable says that if Mirwaiz is assassinated,it would strengthen Hurriyat hardliners. “Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s death would be a serious blow to the peace process because it would create a power vacuum among moderate separatists in the Srinagar Valley,” the cable reads. “(It would) strengthen hardline leaders like Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani who have rejected a soft borders/autonomy solution to the conflict.”

The cable says that the National Security Advisor M K Narayanan’s praise for Mirwaiz is an indicator that he is working to “promote peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute” and that it puts the life of the moderate Hurriyat leader in danger. “Narayanan’s willingness to praise Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s statements highlights the extent to which the Kashmiri moderate has stuck his neck out to promote a peaceful resolution,” the cable reads.

“The January 15th attack on the Mirwaiz’s house,the January 20th statements by the United Jihad Council condemning the Mirwaiz’s efforts in Islamabad,and recent protests in the Mirwaiz’s own neighborhood against his trip to Pakistan are strong indicators that terrorists may target the Mirwaiz.”

The cable says that a security cover has been provided to Mirwaiz by the government of India. “Mirwaiz.. live constantly under the Indian government’s security protection,similar to the rest of the Kashmiri moderate separatist leaders,regardless of their affiliation,” the cable says.