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Hope that new dispensation in Delhi revisits Kashmir policy: Mirwaiz

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 5/20/2019 4:04:48 PM

SRINAGAR, May 19: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) today said he was hopeful that once the new dispensation in New Delhi takes charge, it would revisit its Kashmir policy and analyse as to whether the existing policy on Kashmir had gone in its favour or instead worsened things on all fronts.
Mirwaiz was speaking at a seminar - The importance of dialogue in the backdrop of strained Indo-Pak Relations - here. The seminar was organised by Hurriyat (M) to commemorate the death anniversaries of Moulana Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
Mirwaiz Umar said Hurriyat was hopeful that whosoever comes to power in New Delhi would admit the reality of Kashmri dispute and engage with the leadership to end the hostility so that a dignified solution is found to the vexed dispute of Kashmir.
He added that he was feeling the pain whenever any youth is killed in government forces action or in encounters stating that that it was beyond doubt that the gun-wielding local boys were the products of the ongoing oppression and they are getting consumed in the ongoing unresolved conflict. "Emotions and repressions is driving the educated youth of Kashmir towards armed means of resistance as every scope for raising voices peacefully stand chocked," he said.
Mirwaiz said that the Hurriyat had participated in the dialogue process with the former prime ministers of India—Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and also the then Pakistani president General Pervez Musharraf. He said that it was Vajpayee who had realised the need for resolving the Kashmir issue as he advocated that Kashmir needs to be dealt with in the ambit of humanity.
"Hurriyat is ready to support all Indo Pak efforts aimed at ending hostility and seeking a peaceful solution of Kashmir issue," he said.
Hurriyat (M) chairman demanded release of all political prisoners, repealing of AFSPA and taking back all anti Kashmiri measures so that an atmosphere of trust is created in Kashmir that has been tormented by the worst every conflict in which thousands of people of Kashmir are already paying a heavy price.
Mirwaiz termed the present prevailing situation in Kashmir as sensitive and painful stating that there is no let up in the policies of repression and intimidations as killings, harassment and cordon and search operations continue unabated even in this holy month of Ramzan. He said there were apprehensions whether the authorities would allow the seminar as last year, the then government had barred it and caged entire Hurriyat leadership. Mirwaiz said that the repressive measures are being taken to suppress the genuine voices of people of Kashmir.
He paid rich tributes to Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone.
In his address, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat while stressing for the responsibilities to be shouldered by the resistance leadership, said it is the prime responsibility of the leadership to lead the people of Kashmir on the track. He said given the changing global political scenario, "we must adopt a route that can lead us to the final destination."
"India and Pakistan must realize the need for resolving the Kashmir issue for the larger interests of the people of South Asia and for that the two nations must take some bold steps. We urge all the pro-freedom leaders and parties to work for a united Hurriyat like the one we had in 1993," he said. Bhat added that let there be one single platform and a joint strategy "so that we achieve our mission collectively."