Srinagar, Aug 20: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday asked the leaders of mainstream parties in Kashmir to shun “dual power politics” and maintained it was high time for them to decide whether they are with the ongoing movement or with New Delhi.
 Mirwaiz accused India and Pakistan of failing to resolve the Kashmir dispute and called for third party mediation on the pattern of Northern Ireland.
 “The killing of 8-year old Milad is a glaring example of state terrorism. It is also a shame for New Delhi. What was his crime? We have been crying hoarse over the unabated civilian killings but there is nobody to listen,” Mirwaiz said while addressing a Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid here.
 Accusing the mainstream parties of adopting criminal silence over the civilian killings, Mirwaiz said, “I want to tell the pro-India politicians who have access to Assembly and Parliament that like Milad and 60 other youth and teenagers, tomorrow their sons or relatives can become target of troopers and policemen.”
 “These (mainstream) leaders have been at the forefront of executing anti-Kashmir policies of New Delhi. If they are concerned about suffering of Kashmiris and their conscience is still alive, they should shun dual power politics. There is no middle-way and the lines have been drawn. Time has come for them to decide whether they are with Kashmir or India,” Mirwaiz said.
 Stating that due to rigid stand of India the Kashmir dispute has been lingering on, Mirwaiz favored third party mediation on the pattern of Northern Ireland. He said many countries and forums including the US, Britain and United Nations have been urging India and Pakistan to resolve the dispute.
 “But the wedge between the two countries is increasing at the cost and sufferings of Kashmiris. It is high time for third party mediation to resolve the dispute permanently taking the aspirations of Kashmiris into consideration,” he said.
 Mirwaiz castigated New Delhi for comparing the sacrifices of Kashmiris with job and economic packages. “New Delhi has used all its military might to crush the just movement of Kashmiris but has failed. The killings of innocents has strengthened our resolve to take the movement to its logical conclusion,” he said.
 Mirwaiz said the ongoing agitation will continue till New Delhi accepts Kashmir as a disputed territory, withdraws its troopers and releases all political prisoners and youth from jails. 
 However, he maintained that ongoing movement was indigenous with the objective to achieve right to self-determination. “Our movement is not against any religion or caste. Mirwaiz, who is the Valley’s head cleric, strongly condemned the desecration of Hazratbal Shrine and use of force on the people living around it.
 “On one hand the troopers and cops are killing our teenagers and youth and on the other targeting the religious places. The incident has hurt our religious sentiments. We want action against the accused troopers and cops and free access to people to offer prayers at the Shrine,” he said.
 Later, Mirwaiz led a massive procession from Jamia Masjid to Nowhatta Chowk. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, thousands of people joined the procession. Mirwaiz later staged a sit-in at Nowhatta Chowk.
 Mirwaiz urged people to offer prayers on Saturday at Naqshband Sahib Shrine on the occasion of Urs of Hazrat Khadij-al-Kubra (RA).

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST