Srinagar, Sept 10: In a significant development, the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik, Friday joined hands with Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, at the historic Jamia Masjid here, pledging to carry forward the ongoing movement for right to self-determination. As a show of strength, the two leaders led a massive pro-freedom demonstration in the Old City and staged a sit-in over the killings of 69 persons in past three months.
The Hurriyat (M) has been making efforts to forge unity among various pro-freedom leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani. However, Malik responded positively and chose the Jamia Masjid which has been the centre-stage of Kashmir’s resistance movement, for unification with Mirwaiz.
Leading the congregational prayers, Mirwaiz, who is also the head cleric of the Valley, set the tempo for unification. “Our youth are being killed with impunity, arrested, tortured and even paraded naked. This is sheer Nazi tactics and jungle Raj. This is the real face of Indian democracy. Ironically JK Police has been at the forefront of unleashing terror on Kashmiris,” Mirwaiz said.
Mirwaiz said Kashmir dispute can only be resolved by UN resolutions or trilateral talks in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris. “There is no other way out. And the military tactics adopted by India to crush the movement will further alienate the people. Due to stiff resistance by people, ongoing movement has reached a decisive phase. For strengthening the movement, it is high time for pro-freedom leadership to unite. We have been making unification efforts and Yasin Malik has responded positively. We have to unite for the sake of martyrs and future of Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said.
Malik who was sitting among the Nimazees, stood up and hugged Mirwaiz to mark the unification which was welcomed by continuous pro-freedom slogans. The people were so emotionally charged that they jostled to greet the two leaders.
“We appeal all the pro-freedom leaders and parties to share common platform. We want to involve every section of the society in carrying the movement to its logical conclusion,” Mirwaiz said.
On the occasion, Malik hailed the Mirwaiz family especially Maulana Muhammad Yousuf Shah and Shaheed-e-Millat Maulana Muhammad Farooq for their contribution towards the ongoing movement.
“Kashmir is passing through trepidation. No day passes without killings of innocents and every house is in mourning. For carrying the movement to its logical conclusion, unity among the pro-freedom leaders is must. I believe if there is unity there will be no difference or discord,” Malik said.
Malik said the ongoing movement was being led by the youth who have taken to streets. “They (youth) are the fountainhead of our movement. If we have to reach our goal we have to guide them to maintain discipline during protests. Our peaceful agitation has managed to move people of India.
The demonstrations in four major cities including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore over the killings in Valley are its glaring examples. The Indian people are now coming openly against their own troopers,” he said.
Accusing Government of crushing the ongoing movement by its military might, Malik said history stands testimony to the fact that Kashmiris have peacefully fought against the oppression.
“I want to tell India that Kashmiris have a five thousand year history with no violent background. Unfortunately our peaceful protests are being suppressed by bullets and lethal weapons. These barbaric tactics forced youth to take to take guns in 1989 so that our voice could be heard. In 1993, we again gave chance for peaceful resolution of Kashmir despite opposition by my friends,” he said.
Malik said during the Amarnath land row in 2008, the communal elements in Jammu enforced economic blockade on Kashmir. “When our 60 youth were killed, Kashmiris left no stone unturned to offer shelter and food to the Amarnath pilgrims. And India calls us terrorists and violent,” he said.
Malik castigated senior leader of BJP and leader of opposition LK Advani for opposing resolution of Kashmir. He said the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to Kashmir had favored resolution of Kashmir.
Malik warned that if New Delhi continues with its oppressive policies, “Kashmiris will be forced to take to guns. It is high time for Indian politicians and civil society to accept the ground realities in Kashmir and resolve the dispute in accordance with wishes of Kashmiris,” he said.
However, he praised the CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karath and his wife Vrinda Karath for condemning the killings of youth by troopers in Kashmir.
Later, Mirwaiz and Malik led massive demonstrations from Jamia Masjid to Nowhatta Chowk. On way, the two leaders stood atop a vehicle and waved towards thousands of people including a large number of women.
Pro-freedom leaders Showkat A Bakshi, Advocate Shahid-ul Islam, Noor Muhammad Kalwal, besides Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga and Prof Habibullah Jeelani, who were instrumental in forging the unity, were also present.

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