Srinagar: Expressing serious concern over the fresh LoC flare up between Indian and Pakistan armies, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday 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 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 the both sides of the fence. He said not only civilians but soldiers on the both sides of LoC also continue to get killed due to 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 was 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 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 the couple of nocturnal visit this army man with his accomplice made to the house of the girl. They were threatened with being killed if they told anyone.
Mirwaiz said it was precisely because of the absolute immunity from accountability that draconian 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 major 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.”
Mirwaiz said instead of registering a case against “this shameless man and taking action the local authority let him scot free.” “This incident brings to fore the vulnerability of Kashmiri’s even that of our women as a consequence of being under the yoke of oppression.”
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz also expressed growing concern at the degradation in the moral values within the Kashmiri society and urged people to unite and stand up to fight against the menace of liquor consumption, drug abuse and other such immoral activities He asked parents to keep a close watch on their children and asked the youth to ensure that the social fabric stays clean .
Mirwaiz also announced he will be addressing a religious gathering at the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) Khanyar on 10th Ramadhan after Zuhr prayers, on 11th Ramdhan (Sunday) at Krala Masjid Hawal, on 13th Ramadhan (Tuesday) at Masjid Shareef Tengpora Zoonimar, on `14th Ramadhan (Wednesday at Masjid-e-Shareef Lakhripora, Nowshehra and on 15th Ramadhan at Masjid-e-Shareef Narwara.
