Srinagar, Nov 13: A New Delhi-based civil rights group is on a 4-day fact-finding mission in the Valley. The seven-member team of Jan Hastakshep (People’s Intervention) met prominent separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and also interacted with people in Srinagar and north Kashmir over past two days.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, a team member, VK Ohri, said the primary objective of their visit is to know “what people in Kashmir want” and to document the atrocities perpetrated on the masses here.
“We will submit recommendations to Indian civil society groups and government to find ways of how healing touch will be provided to people here. We will also apprise civil society groups about the situation here and try to build pro-Kashmir atmosphere across India,” he said, adding that situation in the Valley is disturbing and matter of concern.
About their visit, he said they also met families in Srinagar and Varmul who lost their members during the ongoing unrest.
“We are also visiting Hindu families living in Handwara and Kupwara areas of north Kashmir and would also try to get audience with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tomorrow,” he said.
The group comprises of Professor Amit Bahaduri of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mrs Bahaduri, former Ambassador of India to Portugal, Professor N Bhattacharya of Delhi University, N Mishra, VK Ohri, Delhi based lawyer, Pankaj Singh and Jaspal Singh, both journalists.
Veteran pro-freedom leader and Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who met the delegation on Friday, told the team that Kashmiris would continue peaceful agitation till his five demands are not accepted by Government of India.
In September, Geelani had put forth five conditions for restoration of normalcy in the Valley, which could pave way for any kind of dialogue process on Kashmir. The conditions included: India should accept Kashmir an international dispute, begin demilitarization of the state under the supervision of a credible world agency, repeal all ‘draconian’ laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Public Safety Act, release all political prisoners and punish the force personnel involved in the killings which took place across the state since June. He also wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to publicly commit and ensure no further killings would take place.
Geelani said that he apprised the team about the ground situation in the Valley and the ‘crimes committed by the forces to crush the struggle of Kashmiris.’
“India is holding Kashmir illegally by its military might and our struggle would continue till we are given right to self-determination to decide our fate,” he told the team.
The group called on Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, at his Nigeen residence on Saturday.
“Our 111 innocent youth including children were killed by troopers in past five months for demanding their basic right. The situation in Kashmir is a matter of grave concern and needs international intervention as rights violations are continuing,” he told the delegation.
“Human rights violations are not only continuing, but have touched peak during past five months. Curfew, siege, crackdowns and arrest of pro-freedom activists particularly youth have become norm here,” he said.
Mirwaiz said that the delegation informed him that Indian people were unaware about the real situation in Kashmir due to ‘negative propaganda created by its media.’
“In coming days, we would go to Indian cities to aware people about the situation in Kashmir,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST