Srinagar, June 11: The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Friday said that New Delhi has no Kashmir policy and “the Government of India is confused on Kashmir.”
“With due regards to Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, I say that New Delhi has no Kashmir policy and they have an ostrich-like approach,” Mirwaiz told the Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid here. On Dr Manmohan’s recent visit to Kashmir, he said, “It wasn’t for the first time. Indian PMs have been coming here in past and will come in future. But Manmohan’s visit didn’t show any change in the policy of New Delhi. Government of India should realise that Kashmir isn’t a development, economic or governance issue, but a political issue.”
Asserting that Kashmir issue was as alive as it was in 1947, Umar said, “No economic package, accord or political gimmick can change the disputed status of Kashmir. It needs a step-by-step approach to solve the dispute. But unfortunately New Delhi doesn’t realise it.”
“We talked to New Delhi in 2006-07 and gave them suggestions. But Government of India is confused on Kashmir,” he added.
On Indo-Pak dialogue, the Hurriyat chairman said, “If New Delhi is sincere and serious on dialogue with Pakistan we are ready to wait for a few months. But it shouldn’t be directionless. If India says they want to remove trust deficit with Pak, we have no problem. But they must remember that trust is linked to Kashmir and till no way forward is made on Kashmir, trust deficit will remain there.”
“Kashmir related Confidence Building Measures are the only way to remove trust deficit,” he added.
Taking strong note of the human rights violations in Kashmir, the Mirwaiz said, “If India raises terrorism issue with Pakistan in the bilateral talks, then first Indian state terrorism in Kashmir should be discussed. Kashmiris are being sold and killed by the Indian troops for rewards and promotions.”
“If India moves one step forward for the resolution of the dispute we will move two. But let me convey it to New Delhi that that time is over when Kashmiris were being fed with hollow slogans,” he asserted.
The Mirwaiz said that Kashmir remained the biggest hurdle in relations between India and Pakistan and it should top the agenda of any talks between the two countries.
“Biggest hurdle in the relations between India and Pakistan is Kashmir issue,” he said and reiterated his demand for release of prisoners, demilitarisation of the state, revocations of black laws and unhindered cross-border movement and trade for creation of a conducive atmosphere for talks.
SPECIAL PRAYERS AT JAMIA MASJID
Special prayers were offered Friday at Central Jamia Masjid here for improvement in inclement weather conditions in Valley.
The special prayers were organized by the Anjuman-in-Auqaf Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, and led by Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq. A large number of Muslims participated in the special prayers, to invoke Allah’s forgiveness and bounty. They with their moist eyes prayed for immediate end to the inclemency and improvement in weather conditions.
Pertinently, the continued inclement weather in Valley has caused a colossal damage to the agriculture.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST