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KARACHI: After 57 days under house arrest, Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was released and allowed to attend Friday prayers at Jama Masjid in Srinagar. The Mirwaiz had been under house arrest since June 23.
On Friday afternoon, the chairman of the Awami Action Committee tweeted a photo from his official and verified account @MirwaizKashmir and said: “#Housearrest ends after 57 days, spoke at #JamaMasjid. GOI must realise aggression& repression can never resolve anything but only aggravate it.”
An hour later, he tweeted again and said: “For the past 70years people of Kashmir are born raised live & die with the fact that Kashmir is a disputed place waiting a final resolution.”
He also uploaded a two-minute video with the tweet.
“I don’t want to appeal to Indian politicians or parties, I want to appeal to the people of India...to those people who can understand the pain and hurt and I want to tell them...I want to tell them that Kashmir is not a piece of real estate, Kashmir is not a part of property...this is not a territorial or land dispute between India and Pakistan.
“This is a humanitarian problem...one in which not a couple but thousands of houses have been destroyed...a line has been drawn to separate one part from another. The people of Pakistan and India have celebrated 70 years of their independence this week but the unfortunate people of Jammu Kashmir have been suffering from the past 70 years...do these people not have the right to lead a peaceful life? To celebrate their independence?” he says in the video.
“How long will the violence go on for? How many more people will die? How long will we be targeted for? How long will the innocent people of Kashmir be sacrificed for?”
The Mirwaiz is very active on social media and posts regular updates about the situation in Kashmir. Till Aug 11, he was not allowed to attend or deliver a sermon at Jama Masjid. He tweeted: “For the 8th successive Friday not allowed to deliver sermon at JamaMasjid. Confining leadership & caging people in jails will not browbeat us.”
He was also banned from attending the funeral of his maternal uncle, Tariq Ahmed Buch, in July, according to a tweet: “As I defied house arrest to lead Jinazah prayers of my maternal uncle& close aide Tariq Ahmed Buch, Arrested & detained at police station!”
Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2017
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Comments (80) Closed
Aug 19, 2017 09:07am
I too always say Kashmir is a humanitarian subject. Mirwaiz don't appeal to Indians, just appeal to your north western neighbor China, and see how they help.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:08am
True, you should also understand this. It's not your property either.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:08am
Ya right its high time mirwaiz farooq understands that human life is more important than a piece of geography that people have occupied through migration and chance.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:11am
Pakistan should allow willing Muslims in India, to come settle in Pakistan. The 'unfortunate people of Jammu Kashmir have been suffering from the past 70 years' should be welcomed to move to Pakistan. Economy of Pakistan would boom with the consumer needs of these new migrants. The wealth they would bring will help Pakistan's economy.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:47am
Certainly Kashmir is language,culture and history of 5000 years which is under threat because of separatists.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:06am
That is what you need understand, Mr.Mirwaiz. Building an empire for your family is what the "seperatists" have done for the past 70 years.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:11am
Freedom is Kashmirs destiny InshaAllah
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Aug 19, 2017 10:14am
Kashmir needs azadi from such political leaders.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:28am
Can you tell us why should Hindus of Jammu and Buddhists in Ladakh should agree to the aspirations of Kashmir valley Muslims sitting in 7% area of J&K real estate?
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Aug 19, 2017 10:31am
Why dont you stand for election, win and then speak? Why dont you follow the democratic process? I and many Indian will support if you talk as an elected representative.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:36am
He is perfectly correct. How to alleviate the suffering of ksshmiri pandits. What is the solution to that.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:52am
Get into the mainstream , so you will get support of many for your cause and the concerned authorities will listen to your account of the story. Otherwise spend years weak and meak ...nothing will change.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:04am
Free Kashmir from indian occupation.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:06am
Frustrated Leader with severe scrutiny by Investigation Agencies!! Better ignore him!
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Aug 19, 2017 11:10am
Then let the UN resolution be implemented so Kashmiir people can decides where they belong as was promised .If they are not personal property of Mir Waiz then they also not property of India as is claimed by India.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:28am
We understand the problem. We also know when Kashmir problem started.
We know what was in Kashmir when there was no problem. We also know who is responsible for current situation.
We know who these Kashmiri leaders (i.e. separatist leader) are. We also know what these Kashmiri leader wants.
We know which Kashmiri people are these Masked demonstrators. We also know why the family of these Kashmiri leaders does not participate in the protest (i.e. demonstration) against the Indian state.
We know Kashmir is not a piece of real estate.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:30am
In many countries rebel leaders are outside the country but in India you should be lucky that you are just put on house arrest and some time when situation is normal you are released from house arrest to roam around freely but not to conduct public speeches.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:32am
Definitely Kashmir is not a piece of real estate. But this scoundrels like Mirwaiz who have reduced Kashmir to this. Making money by professing separatism and promoting violence, this is what he and people of his ilk have been doing. While ordinary Kashmiris want peace and progress, he preaches hatred . While he exhorts youngsters from ordinary Kashmiri families to burn schools and throw stones , his own children study outside the valley, away from daily bandhs and disturbances . They are rightly called hypocrites and it is time that people in Kashmir read their true intents .
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Aug 19, 2017 11:34am
Its because of people like him Kashmir is having problem
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Aug 19, 2017 11:46am
Mr. Mirwaiz isn't the sole representative of Kashmiri people, there are many others who hold divergent views to Mr. Mirwaiz. Many Kashmiri people support Kashmir to be part of India. Mirwaiz is one of the voice in Kashmir and not the only voice.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:46am
Time to give this so called leader a danda again. Using kashmir youth as pawns for his own sick needs while his own kids live in luxury. A special place in hell awaits these kind of "leaders".
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Aug 19, 2017 11:47am
Now the question is, who has treated Kashmir as their personal property.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:50am
Yes! But what can you do about it?
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Aug 19, 2017 12:17pm
It's a piece of real estate that's restricted to Kashmiris. The day India scraps article 370, Indians from other parts of the country will buy land in Kashmir big time, set up industries and the demography of Kashmir will drastically change, pretty much like other Indian states.
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Aug 19, 2017 12:17pm
For some separatism has become a business, people receive foreign funds in the name of separatism. Mr. Mirwaiz using those separatism funds has purchased lots of properties inside Kashmir. Mr. Mirwaiz has got lots of shopping complexes, office spaces, schools and vast lands inside Kashmir and Delhi. He has invested in properties outside of India too in Dubai. He is running a successful business empire with those funds.
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Aug 19, 2017 12:24pm
@sole representative If Mirwaiz is the representative of the people of Kashmir let's see if he can contest and win a seat in the next state elections.
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Aug 19, 2017 12:47pm
These people are living a lavish life style and enjoying. they wanted the situation remain for ever for their selfish interest, only innocent peoples are misguided and crucified..
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Aug 19, 2017 01:06pm
What is the humanitarian problem? Which rights are they not being allowed which are within the ambit of the constitution of India? If he is referring to the pellet guns, that was really a problem. Having said that, I see that India has discontinued its use and so I dont see a problem there. If he is referring to the "freedom fighters", well, what freedom? Freedom to do what exactly? Nobody seems to be asking these fundamental questions.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:12pm
It is equally important to know for which charges he is under investigations.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:19pm
You need a piece of land to rule. Why other Indian states dont have such problems. I hope you know that Kashmiri students get education opportunities in India. I know many who studied in IITs in India. Now they are working abroad. People like you for ur benefit destroyed there lives. I hope you know Indians are more respected all over the world than the other countries which were made at the same time as India. But you have orthodox thinking and use people to meet ur needs. Shame on you.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:20pm
@Sushil: Kashmir is property of the Kashmiri people, not of India and not of Pakistan. Free Kashmir.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:26pm
Kashmir is neither a piece of real estate and nor does it belong to anyone or any group. Kashmir has elected leaders local Kashmiris and only they are true representatives of the people. Any nonelected leader cannot be taken too seriously or valid
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Aug 19, 2017 01:33pm
@Nasir read the history of Kashmir what made that land who were the original inhabitants of that land, which community & culture was born there?? before claiming who are foreigners & who are not!!
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Aug 19, 2017 01:45pm
@Nasir If Kashmir belongs to kashmiris then why did you gift some part of Kashmir to China.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:54pm
@Ahmad Iqbal I think this is a wonderful suggestion.
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Aug 19, 2017 01:55pm
@Ahmad Iqbal good idea.!!
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Aug 19, 2017 02:10pm
@Sushil It is the property of people of Kashmir. Surely, Indians cannot understand this or can you?
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Aug 19, 2017 02:44pm
Tightening the noose, this is the last opportunity to play a victim card.
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Aug 19, 2017 02:58pm
@Political X-Rays thanks for your valuable suggestions ...lolzzz
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Aug 19, 2017 03:19pm
@Ahmad Iqbal Agree. We should encourage Muslim immigration from India.
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Aug 19, 2017 03:24pm
@Rizwan Aziz It appears you do not know that the state, although disputed by us, is run by the democratically elected Kashmiri people of different political parties who have formed the civilian government. This is something we Pakistanis need to understand.
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Aug 19, 2017 03:27pm
@Waleed Ikram Sorry. We already have it!
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Aug 19, 2017 04:34pm
Yes, it is. The grand father of the last Maharaja had bought this territory from the British more than two centuries ago for Rs.75 lakhs! The young separatist ought to know the history of the State he is fighting for.
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Aug 19, 2017 04:43pm
Mirwaiz should fight elections to gain credibility.
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Aug 19, 2017 06:06pm
@M.Bhatty -- First, learn what UNO resolution says and that it is not mandatory.
Secondly, learn how to write Mirwaiz! Thirdly, write in the Urdu language newspaper or discuss it with your educated colleagues.
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Aug 19, 2017 07:07pm
@Rajeev Nidumolu ..So well said...and so accurate assessment !
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Aug 19, 2017 09:37pm
Mirwaiz should understand, Indians are awakening now to the dangers of religious extremism, he is not going get a separate independent Kashmir hand in glove with Pakistan and China. Seeds of Kashmir's misery were sown in Pakistan and Kashmiris need to own responsibility for sleeping with India's enemies.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:57pm
Kashmir has become a gold mine for hurryat leadership. Their vast property, both in kashmir and else where, has been brought to public domain. None of the family members of these leaders is in kashmir, throwing stones. All of them are abroad, some even in Delhi. Only the poor and gullible young kashmiris are facing forces and getting killed.
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Aug 19, 2017 09:58pm
@Political X-Rays - have you become helpless?
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Aug 19, 2017 09:59pm
@Ahmad Iqbal very good idea.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:18pm
@Ahmad Iqbal Great idea please make it fast.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:20pm
@Ahmad Iqbal exactly...take these people so the common folks in Kashmir valley can live in peace and tranquility.
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Aug 19, 2017 10:35pm
@Sushil it's not your either, but it belongs to kashmiris and they must decide.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:01pm
These Hurryiat leaders so far got the best of the both worlds from India and Pakistan but they incited violence against India. Hurryiat leaders got fool proof protection from Indian army and funds from both Pakistan and India. While their children studied or got jobs at abroad and never participated in so called freedom struggle, they distributed money to poor Muslim youth to throw stones at Indian security forces to lose their eyes or get killed. India decided to take action against these snakes arrested them for money laundering through hawala will now rot in Tihar jail in Delhi for waging war against the state.
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Aug 19, 2017 11:11pm
No one gave you the right to define anything. You say Kashmir is not a piece of real estate. We say it is. Now, what? We Indians are not going to 1. surrender the legal title given by the sovereign of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh to us ; 2. will not sell the blood of thousands of our youth from every part of the country who sacrificed themselves for a part of their Bharat Mata.
If you don't agree, tough luck. If your boys are being killed and you make them as martyrs, remember your own girth is forever expanding on their sacrifices. No one sees any of you Hurriet leaders suffering because none of you is. On the other hand you are leading lavish life along with your Pakistani wives and loot. Your only contribution is to give out shut-down calls, impoverishing your own people.
By the way where were you prior to 1989?
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Aug 19, 2017 11:45pm
salute to your courage Mir Waiz!
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Aug 19, 2017 11:55pm
@Sushil He Belongs to kashmir And speaking on behalf of his people.
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Aug 20, 2017 12:12am
Definitely not just a piece of real estate but he doesn't understand Kashmir had been Bharat- culturally, spiritually and religiously. So, a new faith walks in and breaks this ancient civilization.. it was allowed once and Bharat was broken into 3 pieces that exists today. There will NOT be another tearing apart the country because Mirwaiz or another intolerant bigot wants to break it. The way I understand it, India REJECTS the nonsensical two nation theory garbage. 1.2 billion people OF ALL RELIGIONS live side by side in India .without murdering one another everyday, so WHAT'S KASHMIR VALLEY'S PROBLEM? Try less intolerance, bigotry, racism and more acceptance of OTHERS.. TRY...
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Aug 20, 2017 12:14am
@Zak ,, In which era are you living ,, Tamil demand was dead in early 60s ,, as a Tamil person we love India more than anything else
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Aug 20, 2017 12:19am
@lucky. India should emulate what Erdogan is doing in Turkey.. purging all that seek his government's and the country's destruction.
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Aug 20, 2017 12:24am
Please restore kashmir status as existed in fifties within Indian union which I am sure will be acceptable to Kasmiris.It will strengthen India and raise its international status.
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Aug 20, 2017 01:10am
He has not said anything when China building CPEC using part of Kashmir.
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Aug 20, 2017 01:30am
Mirwaizbhai, violence will continue until Kashmiris will consider themselves Indians. Kashmir is not a real estate, true.. but It's location provides natural defense to Indua as whole. Kashmir is more valuable to India and Kashmiris should consider themselves as Indians, as does any Gujarati or Punjabi or Marathi. The sooner we understand this the better.
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Aug 20, 2017 01:31am
@Ahmad Iqbal good idea....
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Aug 20, 2017 01:37am
It is not your property also.
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Aug 20, 2017 02:05am
@Sushil ...The Land of Kashmir belongs to him and his Kashmiri brothers and sisters,no one else has the right to say otherwise least of all you Indians.!!
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Aug 20, 2017 04:24am
Why is Kashmir so special compared to all other ethnicity in India, just because they are Muslim. I am sure if we start to parse out lot of people will starting feeling the same, regions from the Tamil population or tribals from Bastar.
Similarly, places ion Pakistan , Sindh, Baluchistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
So if everyone says they are not just real estate ... what defines a country?
If the leader like Mr Mirwaiz would really want their community to prosper then they would seek prosperity over everything else.
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Aug 20, 2017 05:40am
Yes, clearly the majority of IOK want independence, both the the people of Azad Kashmir and GB hate Indian rule. Finally people like my family who are far more than pundits of Kashmir who got fed up with Indian rule migrated and moved to other parts of Pakistan equally don't want Indian rule. Would be hard to believe the percentage of people wanting to join India will ever be a double digit figure.Indian truly fear a plebiscite. They make every excuse to avoid it. Which clearly shows in the comments here...
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Aug 20, 2017 06:28am
@Nasir Same applies to AJK
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Aug 20, 2017 06:30am
@Fawad AJK t is the property of people of Kashmir. Surely, you cannot understand this or can you?
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Aug 20, 2017 06:33am
@M.Bhatty Take the first step of the UN resolution- move out of AJK.
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Aug 20, 2017 08:13am
Exactly not your real estate so that only you can be rich, own properties and only your children have best of education abroad with India's tax payers money..hypocrite
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Aug 20, 2017 11:26pm
@karmicgal
Even pice of History. If one doesn't want to see reality then none can help. Jammu & Kashmir is much more then Kashmiryat & Kashmir.
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Aug 20, 2017 11:33pm
@Abhi
Jammu & Kashmir has been governed by National Conference & Congress directly for more then 67 years after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the accession of Jammu & Kashmir with India as power was with him ( Maharaja ) only.
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Aug 20, 2017 11:35pm
@Waleed Ikram
Dear whose ' Slaves ' are Kashmiries?
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Aug 20, 2017 11:36pm
@Abhi very true. Not only Kashmiries but whole of J& K
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Aug 20, 2017 11:38pm
@Vaif
They dont have eyes to see such things
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Aug 21, 2017 06:48am
@Luv from India : these people only are for money. They can't survive elections
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Aug 21, 2017 09:20am
Whole subcontinent is one land and divisions along communal lines will never be acceptable, not now nor after thousand years
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Aug 21, 2017 09:49am
Ch nisar is right to some extent, not only dawnleaks but all jit reports should have been made public so as to known to the people
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