Srinagar, Nov 15: Castigating Centre and state Government over civilian killings during the ongoing unrest, a New Delhi-based civil rights group Monday said that Kashmiris’ aspirations should be respected. The group also demanded revocation of AFSPA, withdrawal of troops and release of protesters.
 Making observations at a news conference here after their 4-day visit to the Valley, the Janhashtakshep (People’s Intervention) team member Amit Bahaduri, a former professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, said, “Whomever we met in past three days wants Azadi and irrespective of division in political parties, they are united over this demand. The suppression of aspirations by using excessive force has failed to crush the movement and complicated matters further.”
 “The masses have lost faith in New Delhi as promises made with them during six decades have not been fulfilled till date and this deception is blot on the face of Indian democracy,” he said.
 Calling for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Bahaduri said that non-accountability enjoyed by Army has permeated down to Jammu and Kashmir Police.
 “The non-violent protesters were dealt violently by police and other forces in past five months. The complaints of rights abuses by police are galore,” he said.
 Demanding demilitarization, team member N Bhattacharya said that troopers should be deployed on borders only.
 “There are more than eight lakh Army personnel and paramilitary troopers stationed here which clearly shows that Kashmir has highest military concentration,” he said, adding that Kashmir has become money-making industry for troops and police personnel.
 “The dangerous trend is that people are so much alienated here that they have no hope of getting justice,” he said.
 Demanding impartial probe in 111 civilian killings in ongoing unrest, they also sought adequate compensation for the families of victims.
 “All the cases of excesses should be probed to punish the guilty and the persons detained in past five months should be released to make a conducive atmosphere,” they said.
 About their valley visit, Supreme Court lawyer OK Ohri said that they would submit recommendations to civil society groups and Centre to build pressure over resolution of Kashmir.
 “We will coordinate with other civil society groups to sanitize people living in India about real situation of Kashmir and negate the disinformation campaign,” he said.
 “There are people in India whose heart beats and tears roll for Kashmiris. The Indian civil society too staged protests against atrocities and brutalities inflicted upon people here,” he said.
 The 7–member team met separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, families of victims, students and others during past four days. 

Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST