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Srinagar, June 22, 2013 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has termed the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s forthcoming visit to the territory as a futile exercise. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressing a rally in Srinagar over phone said,
“The visit is going to serve no purpose until PM comes up with some concrete steps to address the Kashmir dispute. India is seeing Kashmir through the prism of economics rather than coming up with some concrete political steps. This kind of mindset will aggravate the situation and won’t help under any circumstances.”
The Mirwaiz, who was placed under house arrest to prevent him from taking part in a rally held in connection with the Founding Day of his party Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee, said that economic packages could never be an alternative to the right to self-determination promised to the Kashmiri people.
“Kashmiris want fulfilment of the promises made by Indian leaders in the past. Inaugurating railway network will not be an alternative to the aspirations of the people, who have offered unparalleled sacrifices. Unfortunately, Indian leadership has always shown cold shoulder towards ground realities here and only sees at Kashmir through an economic prism,” he deplored.
The APHC Chairman appealed the people to observe complete shutdown on Manmohan Singh’s visit to the territory on Tuesday (June 25). He condemned the curbs imposed on him and other pro-freedom leaders including the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani.
“Government is curbing our religious and political rights. We are not even allowed to offer Friday prayers. Gilani sahib has been confined to his house and not allowed to offer prayers. The oppressive measures adopted by government cannot deter us from pursuing our struggle as nobody can put restrictions on aspirations, emotions, and thinking of Kashmiris,” he said.
It is to mention here that Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday to inaugurate the Qazigund-Banihal rail link of the Kashmir rail project.
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