Srinagar
Chairman Hurriyat (G) Conference Syed Ali Geelani on Friday expressed his deep concern over the “loss of precious lives” in recent shelling on the line of control (LoC).
In a statement, Geelani said that unless Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of people, “the risk of collision between the two nuclear powers will be devastating not only for the region but for the whole world.”
Geelani appealed to India and Pakistan to demonstrate “restraint and wisdom” and play a constructive role for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, which, he said, poses a threat to world peace.
Geelani blamed authorities for their “stubborn attitude” and added that its forces have created mayhem. Geelani while hailing people for their commitment and determination said that despite atrocities perpetrated by forces, people are braving bullets and pellets, and this serves a message that they can never cow down our aspirations or force us to submission.
Syed Ali Geelani suggested authorities to read the writing on the wall, saying their rhetoric about development and construction of projects can never lure people, saying Sadak Pani Bijli and power projects are not solutions for Kashmir Issue.
The valiant people of Kashmir have proved, time and again, that no amount of torture could dissuade them from pursuing their legitimate and inalienable right to self-determination, said Geelani.
“Despite India utilizing all its resources during the last 70 years, the issue is there and not an iota of change seems to have happened on the ground, Geelani said and while hailing people for their exemplary sacrifices for ongoing freedom movement, Geelani said that people understand government is exploiting and looting our resources.
Terming the Kashmir issue as bone of contention between India and Pakistan, Syed Ali Geelani said, “sincere steps were needed to resolve this dispute.” and while criticising authorities, Geelani alleged that their “narratives” reflect “negative and egoistic approach”, adding both nuclear countries must play their rightful role in facilitating a just and lasting solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq urged both the nuclear powers to stop the mayhem and killings at the border and start a process of peacefully settling the Kashmir dispute.
Addressing a massive Friday gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid Mirwaiz said that it is a war at LoC especially in Uri, Samba and Kathua sectors as the two armies of India and Pakistan are exchanging heavy artillery fire resulting in the senseless loss of innocent civilians on both sides of the fence. He said not only civilians by soldiers on both sides of LoC also continue to get killed due to the continuous exchange of firing. Mirwaiz said that such a situation has now become routine at the LOC as it remains heated most of the year with big bangs of exchange of mortars between the armies of two countries.
Mirwaiz said that unless New Delhi gives up its obduracy regarding the dispute and gives real peace a chance there is no guarantee that the situation will change and improve. Mirwaiz said one fails to understand why the leadership of both the countries is delaying the resolution of the issue when it is in the interest of the people of both sides to start a sustained dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir dispute, which is the root cause of tension between them.
He said it is long overdue that New Delhi and Islamabad allow the leadership of two divided parts of Kashmir including Gilgit-Baltistan, Ladakh, Pakistan administered Kashmir and this part of Jammu and Kashmir to meet with each other and decide on their future course of action regarding their destiny as such a step is of utmost importance for finding a resolution of Kashmir dispute, acceptable to all parties most importantly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said Hurriyat leadership will extend its full support to every serious effort aimed at resolving Kashmir so that peace prevails in the region and bloodshed stops
Commenting on the shocking incident Involving the Major from Indian Armed forces RR who had tied local Farooq Dar to his jeep and paraded him as human shield last year surfaced involving a local girl from the same district of Budgam where he is stationed. Mirwaiz said It shows the terror these people have struck in the hearts of locals that as per the news report the girls family did not even report a couple of nocturnal visits this army man with his accomplice made to the house of the girl. They were threatened if they reveal it to anyone.
Mirwaiz said it is precise because of the absolute immunity from accountability that law like AFSPA provides the armed forces that they do as they please as in this case . Since the armed forces know come what may they will be saved even if found guilty and instead of being punished will be rewarded as Gogoi was in the human shield case they do as they please. It is this unaccountability that emboldens the forces and leads to repression harassment intimidation and instilling fear that is pushing Kashmiri’s to the wall and in a way forcing the young to take to arms to avenge the atrocities.
