Ground Report

Jammu,October 2, (Vijay Kumar) – Former Indian Minister and State Congress party Chief Prof Saifuddin Soz Friday said Kashmiri travelers should not accept travel documents stamped by the Chinese embassy on a separate sheet of paper. Terming the latest development  as ‘mischief’ by the Chinese government, the mainstream Kashmiri leader urged Kashmiri travelers to refrain from travelling on travel documents separately stamped by the Chinese embassy.

According to a news agency Kashmir Independent Press (KIP) quoating Prof Soz who was interacting with mediapersons in Jammu on the sidelines of a birth anniversary function of father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

Prof Soz said he had travelled to China thrice and on all the occasions visas were stamped on the passport.

In response to a direct question whether China  is treating Kashmir as a disputed territory and stamping Visas on separate sheets, Prof Soz said, "from time to time China indulges in mischief in Arunchal Pradesh and in Jammu and Kashmir". "Our stand is very clear, we will not accept the chinese stand over the issue and i believe Indian government has already taken up the issue with the Chinese government",he added

 It may be mention here that the Chinese Embassy has recently started the practice of stamping visas to some Kashmiris on a separate sheet of paper instead of passports inviting strong protests from India. MEA spokesman said,"We have conveyed our well justified concern to the Chinese government in this regard."

Indian Defence Minister A K Antony also said on Thursday that "Every inch in Arunachal and Kashmir is Indian territory,"