Srinagar, November 06(Scoop News)- Paying rich tributes to the “martyrs” of Jammu, separatist All party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Wednesday said that Kashmiris have been fighting for their political rights for last several decades.
Addressing a seminar, “Jammu Martyrs- torch bearers of freedom,” at party headquarters at Srinagar, the summer capital, he said Kashmiris have a long history of fighting with Mughals,Pathans, Dogras, Sikhs and now Indian imperialists for their rights. Umar said Kashmiri struggles saw many ups and downs, important junctures, and innumerable sacrifices.
The seminar was convened by APHC Chairman and was attended by dignitaries from all the walks of life. A Constituent of APHC from Jammu, Peoples Movement, Shahid Saleem, also participated the seminar with a high level delegation, and noted writer Omkar Razdan was also present on the occasion.
APHC leader said when conglomerate refers to Jammu and Kashmir; it means a geographical entity which existed on August 14, 1947.
Despite unfavorable circumstances, he said Kashmiris have continued with the struggle of freedom. He noted that peace would never return to the region till Kashmir issue is not permanently resolved.
Umar said genuine struggles can’t be suppressed by offering economical grants or by force. He said that India was trying hard to weaken the Kashmiri struggle on two fronts,one by military occupation and second by offering economical grants.
He cleared that elections were held to serve local administrative purposes and were not be mistaken as a political solution. Mirwaiz said elections have never been able to change the disputed state of Kashmir and nor it would happen in future as well.
Umar said if India and Pakistan would hold serious negotiations on suggestions put forth by hurriyat, the conglomerate would extend its full cooperation for such a process. He said hurriyat can exist as a bridge between India and Pakistan in a bid to fully restore the relations between the two countries.
Mirwaiz said when the concept of boundaries was fast fading in the world, the man-made- distance between people living in different regions of Jammu and Kashmir should also come to an end.
He said it was highly unfortunate that in this globalised world Kashmiris can talk with their relatives living in Europe and America, but not with their rearives living in Pakistan administered Kashmir.
Referring to the historic statement of former Indian Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee regarding Kashmir issue, he said the then prime minister has said that it was the need of the hour to take everybody forward within the ambit of humanity to solve the Kashmir issue.
Read Full story at http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=33190